On Monday, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams was on a mission to dispel some of the “disinformation” he says Mayor Eric Adams has been spreading about a police reporting bill.

The “How Many Stops Act” would require police to document most of their investigative encounters with civilians.

“The administration and the mayor have been putting out the hardest possible way to collect this in order to present fear and confusion to the public and we are out here to correct that,” Williams said, while at Brooklyn Borough Hall passing out literature.

What You Need To Know

  • Public Advocate Jumaane Williams sponsored the "How Many Stops Act," a bill aimed at increasing police transparency

  • On Monday, he attempted to combat some confusion and disinformation around the legislation

  • Mayor Eric Adams and the City Council have been at odds over the legislation. Adams argues it creates more administrative work

  • The mayor vetoed the bill and the city council is expected to override the vote on Tuesday

Currently, police officers are only required to document “Level 3 investigative” stops. The legislation would add “Level 1” and “Level 2” to the requirement. The bill looks to collect data on race, gender and age of civilians encountered.

Williams, the main sponsor of the legislation, said the legislation adds much needed transparency and accountability to the police department.

While Adams said the bill burdens police officers with administrative work.

“It’s not interrupting police work, it actually is police work,” Williams said. “We would like you to collect this information as easily as possible. So, it can be done if possible right after the stop or it can be done if possible after the tour.”

Part of the information included in the literature Williams was passing out on Monday included lines like “there is no paperwork, officers can quickly complete reports on smartphones,” and “officers are not required to collect any info from people, the report is based on their observations.”  

The literature notes casual conversations, like asking for directions, are not part of the bill.

Williams’ public campaign comes just days after Adams attempted to siphon votes ahead of the override with a police ride along on Saturday.

“I just really commend them for doing so because we should see first-hand the policies and laws we pass. ‘How does it impact everyday New Yorkers who are doing this job,’” Adams said during an interview on WNYC’s Brian Lehrer Show.

In the end, the mayor said about nine councilmembers joined him on the ride along. However, noticeably absent was Councilman Yusef Salaam.

Salaam chose not to attend the event after being stopped by police on Friday night for a traffic violation of tinted windows on his car. The officer let Salaam go after he identified himself as a city councilmember.

The untimely stop increased calls for needed police transparency.

“If you look at it statistically, if this council member can get randomly stopped, how many other stops are happening?” Reverend Kirsten John Foy said.

But traffic stops like Salaam’s are already required to be reported by the NPYD.

“That stop with the councilman was not a Level 1 stop. It was documented. It was documented on paper. It was documented on the camera. It clearly shows the purpose of the stop,” Adams said to Lehrer while weighing in on the controversial stop.

The City Council only needs 34 votes to override a veto.

“I feel very confident we will succeed in the override,” Speaker Adrienne Adams said ahead of the Tuesday vote.