The New York City Council is poised to vote on legislation that could have a substantial impact on police response times by dramatically increasing reporting requirements, according to Assemblyman William Colton (D—Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach and Dyker Heights).

The Council could vote on the bill, one of several in a package directed at increased transparency within the NYPD, on December 20. In particular, Assemblyman Colton is concerned that the bill would require police officers to fill out paperwork for even the most minor interactions; current law mandates that police officers file reports on all Level III encounters, stops in which the officers can legally detain the individuals being stopped.

Among the interactions that would require reporting, should the bills become law, would be assisting a sick passenger on public transit or interviewing witnesses to a crime. According to testimony earlier this year by Michael Clarke, who is director of legislative affairs for the NYPD, in 2022, there were over 3.2 million Level I interactions reported.

This is extremely concerning, said Assemblyman Colton. “We need our police officers out on the street, not behind a desk,” he contended. “Especially with budget cuts affecting future Police Academy classes, it is a bad idea to require the police officers who are now on the job to sit in the precinct and fill out forms. Both accountability and transparency are important, but neither would be enhanced by this level of documentation.”