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Police Encounters

Your Right to Know

The New York City Police Department is committed to promoting greater transparency during encounters with the public in order to build community trust and enhance law enforcement efforts.

Obtaining Body Worn Camera Footage

If you had an encounter with the NYPD that you believe was captured on a body camera and are seeking a copy of the video, you may submit a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request for that footage by following the procedures on our FOIL page.

Were You Stopped by the NYPD?

When a police officer reasonably suspects that a person has committed, is committing, or is about to commit a felony or a Penal Law misdemeanor, the officer is authorized by New York Criminal Procedure Law § 140.50 to stop, question and possibly frisk that person for a weapon. The police officer may have stopped you because the officer had information requiring further investigation. Some of the factors that could have contributed to the officer's suspicion include the following: an individual's proximity to the scene of a crime, behavior or movements commonly associated with concealing or possessing a weapon, matching a specific suspect description, or other factors. Not every encounter with a police officer is a stop.

How to Obtain a Copy of a Stop Report

When an officer detains someone pursuant to Criminal Procedure Law § 140.50, the officer must document the stop in a Stop Report. The Stop Report should include, among other things, the basis for the stop. If you were stopped by the NYPD and you would like to obtain a copy of the Stop Report, you may click here to submit a request online.

Within 10 business days of receipt of your request, the NYPD will send out a copy of your Stop Report or a response indicating that there was no record found or insufficient information to find the Stop Report via US mail or email. In the alternative, you may go to One Police Plaza, room 110C, to obtain your Stop Report or a response that same day.

Be prepared to provide the date, time, and location of the stop, and the officer's name (if available).

Some reasons you may not receive a Stop Report include

  1. If you were arrested as a result of the stop.
  2. The encounter was not legally considered a "stop" that required an officer to complete a Stop Report.
  3. Your request contained insufficient information regarding the stop.

For Comments, Questions, or to Make a Complaint

For comments or questions about the encounter or to report a positive interaction, please call 311.

To report police misconduct, you can file a complaint with the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB), an independent city agency that handles alleged police misconduct in the areas of force, abuse of authority, discourtesy, and offensive language, by calling (800) 341-2272, or by visiting the CCRB's website. You may also contact the Police Department's Internal Affairs Bureau (IAB) at (212) 741-8401 or IAB@nypd.org.


Business Card Replenishment Plan

Pursuant to Local Law 54 of 2018, the NYPD is required to develop a plan to ensure that officers have an adequate number of business cards prior to engaging in any law enforcement activity and that such cards be replenished within 30 business days after such cards become unavailable.

Click here to read the NYPD's business card replenishment plan.