Council Unveils Proposal To Cut $1 Billion From NYPD Budget, Identifying “Inefficiencies”

The New York City Council unveiled a list of proposals that would trim an unprecedented $1 billion from the NYPD’s upcoming budget, advancing a growing call from police reform advocates, protesters, and lawmakers who say that Police Department’s budget is overinflated.

The figure represents 16 percent of the NYPD’s existing budget of roughly $6 billion. Some proposed cuts Council members intend to take to the mayor include slashing overtime costs across the board, removing the School Safety Division from the NYPD’s purview, and reducing the headcount.

“Our budget must reflect the reality that policing needs fundamental reform. Over the last few weeks, we have seen an outpouring of New Yorkers demanding change from their leaders. It is our job to listen – and to act. We will not let this moment pass, and we will fight for the budget they deserve,” said the Council, in a joint statement that included Council Speaker Corey Johnson, who has called for the reallocation of funds from the NYPD to other agencies.

The move comes after more than two weeks of protests against police brutality and the death of George Floyd, who was killed after ex-Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was caught on video with his knee on Floyd's neck. The protests have since resulted in the passage of a criminal reform bill package that included the repeal of the controversial 50-A measure that allowed the records of police officers TO BE sealed from the public.

Weeks before Floyd’s death, there had been calls to reduce the NYPD budget, with Councilmember Donovan Richards suggesting $55 million in overtime pay—usually reserved for overtime for many summertime outings—be removed from the budget, citing the COVID-19 outbreak that’s canceled a number of events.

Mayor Bill de Blasio initially said the NYPD would not have its budget slashed, said last week that he’s committing to reducing the NYPD’s budget, though he was noncommittal over how much. The Council did not specify which agencies would benefit from the cuts, though education advocates have pushed the city to replenish the city Department of Education budget, which is poised to receive $262 million in cuts.

Figures from the Independent Budget Office show the NYPD spent $5.3 billion -- or 93 percent -- of its budget on salaries and overtime between its uniform and civilian personnel. The rest is spent on Other Than Personal Services, which include supplies.

Hours after the Council released its intentions on Friday evening, the Police Benevolent Association released a statement that appeared to acknowledge the burdens officers have taken but suggesting they’re the only ones who can properly handle them.

“For decades, every time a city agency failed at its task, the city’s answer was to take the job away and give it to the NYPD. If the City Council wants to give responsibilities back to those failing agencies, that’s their choice. But they will bear the blame for every new victim, for every New Yorker in need of help who falls through the cracks. They won’t be able to throw cops under the bus anymore,” read the statement.