The How Many Stops Act in NYC mandates that police officers document every investigative encounter with New Yorkers, regardless of the nature of these interactions. Stemming from the desire to increase transparency and accountability within the New York City Police Department, the Act aims to shed light on casual investigatory stops, giving a clearer picture of policing practices across the city.
The law, which now requires police to document every encounter with New Yorkers, has been at the center of a political showdown between the mayor and city leaders. — CBS.com How Many Stops Act: New York City Council overrides Mayor Eric Adams' veto
The New York City Council recently voted 42-9 in favor of overriding Mayor Eric Adams' veto of the How Many Stops Act. By documenting all encounters, including those deemed non-criminal or casual, some 3.2 million stops per year, the Act seeks to address concerns raised by various community members about racial profiling and the need for greater transparency in law enforcement practices.
Mayor Adams’ primary concern centered around the potential impact on police officers' ability to efficiently carry out their duties. Adams argued that the additional administrative burden of documenting Level 1 stops—defined as non-criminal encounters—could slow down police response times and detract from active policing on city streets. Moreover, the mayor highlighted concerns regarding increased police overtime and the potential strain on interactions between the police and the public.
The How Many Stops Act has a mix of potential benefits and drawbacks. On one hand, supporters argue that it will give much-needed accountability and prevent racial profiling by ensuring that every police interaction is recorded and scrutinized. On the other hand, opponents worry about the practical implications for law enforcement, including possible delays in response times and the additional administrative tasks that could stretch already limited resources.
What do you think? Do you agree with the New York City Council's action to override the mayor's veto on the How Many Stops Act, which requires police officers to document investigative encounters?