A half a loaf?

Recently, the NYPD took two steps to boost body camera transparency, a welcome change from a Police Department where an abiding ethos of systemic secrecy is more hindrance than help. First, the department released disturbing video from a September officer-involved shooting on Staten Island. In the 14-minute clip, three officers respond to a domestic violence complaint. They question suspect Gregory Edwards, who resists arrest and escapes an attempted tasing before drawing his own gun and shooting a cop in the wrist. One cop then shoots Edwards, wounding him fatally.

The footage, in this case, showed why deadly force became necessary.

Top brass should now follow their own example and share videos from 10 other officer-involved deadly shootings that happened so far in 2019. Sunlight disinfects. And , video dispels cop-wary communities’ conspiracy theories about what really happened.

Second, the NYPD outlined new policy for turning over recordings to Civilian Complaint Review Board investigators, letting the agency see relevant video within 10 to 25 business days of a request, in many cases. Given that 574 such requests are currently pending, a majority of them for more than 30 days, that’s progress.

In the first five months of the year, the CCRB substantiated only 7% of misconduct complaints when they didn’t have video evidence. When they did, 42% of cases were substantiated.

The city should promptly provide the funding to set up the secure viewing room for CCRB investigators to screen video. Body cams are ready for their closeup.