‘Sunlight’ on NYPD spending

THE SUN IS now shining more brightly on how the NYPD has spent more than $42 billion since 2010.

The expenses, including more than $2 billion in NYPD contracts during the same time period, had been shrouded in secrecy on CheckbookNYC.com, the website run by the city controller’s office.

The Daily News reported last year the NYPD had categorized most expenses as PRIVACY/SECURITY, with vendor information withheld from public view.

Critics said the secrecy potentially allowed for funny business in how the contracts were awarded — and to whom.

Even petty cash expenses — such as the purchase of toilet paper — were not fully explained, including a $3.88 outlay that was listed as a security matter, but that turned out to be a medical shot for Mentos, a police dog.

The NYPD later conceded vendor information should be provided, as long as it did not compromise security.

Under terms of the new rules, Checkbook now has new information for 7,857 contracts involving 4,912 vendors.

“Sunlight matters,” Controller Scott Stringer said, “and this is an important step for transparency for our city.”

Police Commissioner James O'Neill agreed, saying it’s important for citizens to “understand how all public agencies are spending their money on contract services and vendors.”