NEW YORK — The NYPD spent $1.4 million in overtime during a three-month period, which department officials state is due in large part to officers needing to complete paperwork required by the “How Many Stops Act,” the New York Post reported.
The legislation, which mandates documentation of police encounters at varying levels, went into effect on July 1, 2024, according to the report. The act requires police to file reports for all interactions with the public, from brief inquiries (Level 1) to actions ending in arrests (Level 3). The vast majority of the reported stops — 98% — fell under Level 1 encounters, NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Legal Matters Michael Gerber said.
Gerber reported that officers logged 18,000 overtime hours in the third quarter of 2024 to comply with the law.
Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey cited an example during Monday’s hearing, describing how a Level 1 report was required when he asked a fatigued runner at the New York City Marathon if they needed assistance, according to the report. Maddrey and Gerber emphasized that the additional paperwork can take officers anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour to complete, often after their shifts have ended.
“[Councilmembers who voted in favor of the law] criticize NYPD overtime spending while pushing legislation that adds excessive paperwork, costing taxpayers nearly $1.5 million and 18,000 overtime hours in just one quarter,” Councilman Bob Holden (D-Queens) said.
In response to concerns, Gerber said the NYPD has formed an “executive-level working group” to streamline the process, including using electronic forms and providing additional training, according to the report. Officers can choose to complete Level 1 reports in real time or at the end of their shifts using body-worn camera footage, activity logs or memory.
