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NYPD, already over budget this fiscal year, doubles down on spending at Council hearing
By
Giulia Heyward
Published May 18, 2023
Modified May 18, 2023
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Gerardo Romo, New York City Council Media Unit.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published May 18, 2023
Modified May 18, 2023
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The NYPD defended its overspending as the city continues to funnel millions of taxpayers’ dollars on overtime pay for officers and settling police misconduct cases.
The department’s actions come amid steep budget cuts that are leaving other city agencies strapped for cash, including public libraries and resources for the homeless.
“The budget is not a suggestion,” City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams said at a hearing on Thursday. “And despite pledges to rein in the repeated pattern of exceeding its budget on overtime, there has been no tangible changes to more efficiently manage spending within the budget.”
Members of the City Council pointed fingers at two line items within the NYPD’s budget over recent years. The police department blew through its annual budget for officers working overtime halfway through the current fiscal year, which began on July 1, 2022 and will end this June. The NYPD spent roughly $715 million on overtime as of April, nearly 60% more than the $453 million allocated to the department. The NYPD also spent more than $121 million in payouts for lawsuits filed against the department in 2022.
And while Mayor Eric Adams is calling for conservative city-wide spending with the ongoing migrant crisis, the NYPD is still set to receive a considerable chunk next year: $5.31 billion dollars – or 5% – of the proposed $106.7 billion spending plan for the 2024 fiscal year. That’s $220 million less than what the department received this fiscal year.
NYPD officials blamed the overspending on staffing shortages and an increase in 911 calls from residents. An uptick in the presence of unlicensed cannabis shops, criminal court and oath summons issued for residents and foot traffic in subways are forcing the police to employ more of its officers, Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said.
“There can be no substitute for adequately funded public safety, and a healthy and properly compensated force of officers,” she said.
In regards to the misconduct settlements, Michael Gerber, the NYPD’s deputy commissioner of legal matters, said the police “certainly provides feedback and expresses our views regarding various cases.”
He attributed the frequency of these payouts to the city’s legal department, which did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
“Ultimately, it is up to the law department,” he said. “The law department has complete authority to settle the case, or not.”
City law department spokesman Nick Paolucci told Gothamist that prolonged litigation can be a costly endeavor for the city.
"The Law Department carefully evaluates cases and settlements are made in the best interest of the city and taxpayers," he said. "Client agencies are valuable partners in our work to reach the best resolution for the City. We also work with agencies to mitigate issues that were identified during the case. The City Charter requires the Law Department and the Comptroller to authorize settlements. District attorneys are reviewing more criminal cases from many years ago. Settlement of just a few of these reverse conviction civil cases can have a big impact on settlement costs for the City."
This story has been updated to include comment from the city law department.
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public safety
Giulia Heyward
Giulia Heyward is a breaking news reporter on the Day-Of desk. She previously worked at NPR, as a breaking news reporter, and the New York Times, as a reporting fellow on the national desk. Her work has also appeared in CNN, The Atlantic and Politico. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or more securely on signal at 917-715-1458.
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