From MuckRock: The New York Police Department’s animus toward Freedom of Information requests is legendary, and mayor-elect Bill de Blasio has been one of the department’s most outspoken critics. As de Blasio takes the City Hall reins, transparency advocates have a tremendous opportunity. But if you want real reform, hold de Blasio to his watchdog roots.
In his current role as NYC Public Advocate, Mr. de Blasio has called out the NYPD for their inability (or unwillingness) to comply with the state’s Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). In April, his office put out a comprehensive report that graded each city department’s responsiveness to public records requests. The NYPD scored a solid “F,” having failed to answer or “losing” nearly a third of FOIL requests submitted during the three-month analysis period.
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When Bill de Blasio is sworn in on January 1, he will assume the authority to act on all of his recommendations for opening up NYC government to public scrutiny, and the police in particular. As mayor, de Blasio can make real the reforms he has proposed and evolve from critic to catalyst.
If you’re interested in helping hold him to those promises, check out the NYPD’s agency page on MuckRock and join our mailing list: MuckRock users are keeping an the NYPD’s progress, and you can help.
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