TODAY, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch announced that the New York City Police Department (NYPD) has formally codified its practice of releasing body-worn camera footage within 30 calendar days of a critical incident.
The practice has been regularly followed during Commissioner Tisch's tenure and is now a formal departmental requirement. The 30-day standard applies to incidents involving the discharge of a firearm by an officer that result in a member of the public being struck, as well as police use of force that results in serious injury or death. The Police Commissioner may also authorize the release of body-worn camera footage in other circumstances when doing so would help maintain public order or contribute to public safety.
"Transparency and accountability are the building blocks of public safety," said Mayor Mamdani. "By codifying the timely release of body-worn camera footage, we are ensuring that New Yorkers receive timely information about critical incidents. This policy builds public trust and ensures our city receives answers while protecting the integrity of investigations."
"Transparency is the key to maintaining trust between police and the communities we protect and serve," said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. "Body-worn cameras provide clear and objective accounts of interactions involving the NYPD, showing the dangerous and difficult situations that officers often face while also ensuring we hold ourselves accountable when standards are not met. This formal commitment to release footage within 30 days of a critical incident is a continuation of my pledge to ensure transparency regarding the work of the Department."
Uniformed members serving below the rank of Deputy Inspector are required to wear body-worn cameras. The NYPD's body-worn camera program is the largest in the country, covering more than 29,500 officers. The program was launched and implemented when Commissioner Tisch previously served as NYPD Deputy Commissioner for Information Technology.
Officers are required to activate their cameras before taking police action.
