City investigators have discovered that the New York City Police continue to flout a 2020 surveillance security law that requires them to disclose new types of policing technology.
A Department of Investigation probe found that police did not properly disclose information before deploying a suite of technologies Mayor Eric Adams rolled out in 2023 to great fanfare.
Thursday's findings also match those from a similar investigation in 2022.
Investigators determined that the NYPD did not create a separate Impact and Use Policy for Digidog, a robotic dog with camera capabilities.
Instead, they included Digidog under an existing policy for an earlier canine version, avoiding the public comment period required by the blueprint, according to Politico.
Inspector General Jeanene Barrett said monitoring the NYPD's use of surveillance "is essential for instilling public confidence that these sophisticated technologies will be used responsibly."
"The recommendations in this report will enhance these policies, increase transparency, and facilitate future oversight," Barrett added.
The investigative department, which oversees other city agencies, recommended that the NYPD create a policy specifically for Digidog, update its policies for other technologies to include all necessary information, and avoid grouping new technologies into existing policies in the future.
Furthermore, the report found that the NYPD also omitted details on the health and safety effects of these technologies during the collection and use of data.
The NYPD has maintained that a new policy is not necessary for Digidog.
"Protecting public safety is this administration's top priority, and a key part of that mission is using technology to help keep New Yorkers safe," the department said in a statement.
Adding, "We are committed to doing so consistent with the law. We will carefully review DOI's conclusions and recommendations."
The Legal Aid Society has disputed the department's stance on technology.
"New Yorkers didn't sign up to serve as guinea pigs for City Hall's experiments with problematic and invasive technology," stated Jerome Greco, supervising attorney of the organization's Digital Forensics Unit.
