Gizmodo: nypd

NYPD May Track Your Cellphone If You're Arrested For...Any Reason

Rosa Golijan — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 22:40:00 EDT

The folks at the NYPD are so sweet! No matter what you're arrested for, they're nice enough to remove your cellphone's battery "to avoid leakage" and jot down your IMEI number. They'll even add it to a database.

According to the NY Daily News, a recent internal memo instructed NYPD officers to commit such acts of battery-removing, IMEI-jotting kindness. The idea behind it is to assemble a database which would allow them to match phones used by a suspect to past, present, and future crimes. It's almost romantic how you'll gain a lifelong relationship with the NYPD through this process, but, like many other newfangled relationships, this one is being called into question. Some are arguing that it circumvents warrant requirements and infringes on the rights of a suspect. I argue that I won't carry a cellphone if I go on a crime spree in New York. [NY Daily News]

Photo by mskogly

NYPD Sued Over Terrorist Spycam Operation in Manhattan: Which Side Are You On?

Sean Fallon — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:00:00 EDT

As you probably already know, the NYPD has been planning to blanket lower Manhattan with over 3000 security cameras as a preventative measure against future terrorist attacks. Not surprisingly, the New York City Liberties Union (NYCLU) has a different opinion on the matter, saying that “A plan of this scope, expense [$106 million] and intrusiveness demands robust public debate and legislative oversight. The public has a right to this information.” Therefore, they have decided to sue the NYPD and force them to disclose their plans. So, one day before the anniversary of the September 11th attacks, I have to ask: which side are you on?

[NYCLU via Danger Room]

NYPD Sharp Shooters May Get Cameras on their Guns

AddyDugdale — Wed, 14 May 2008 06:20:00 EDT

Officers of the NYPD may be forced to carry cameras on their guns, if a Brooklyn senator gets his way. Following a spate of controversial shootings, democrat Eric Adams—a former cop himself—has proposed the addition of a $700 gadget, insisting that it will improve public confidence in the police force. Before being adopted, however, the city's SWAT teams will take part in a pilot scheme. More details of the idea, which has already been mooted in DC, below.

As soon as the officer draws his weapon, a red laser light on the five-ounce attachment shoots out, although this can be disabled if the cop feels it might put him in danger, for example, if he or she is in a dimly-lit situation. The camera can continue filming whatever is in the gun's path for up to an hour after being drawn.

Senator Adams, who never once used a gun during his 21 years on the beat, reckons the idea could bolster public confidence in the police. "We believe the state of New York can lead the country," he said. "There no longer can be a question mark that lingers after shootings." There is, as I see it, however, one tiny flaw. If the camera can be turned off by the guy on the right end of the gun—ie, the cop— doesn't that make the system open to potential abuse? [Telegraph]

Afternoon News: NYPD Gets Scooters, Aussies Get PS3s, China Gets Wiis

Benny Goldman — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 16:00:00 EST

• The NYPD will test electric scooters next month. NYPD Blue? More like NYPD Green! (Please, hold your applause.)[Newsday]
• Can't find a Wii near you? Try China, apparently they have them coming out the yin yang. They are pre-modded to play American games, too. [CrunchGear]
• Down Under Dealzmodo: Australians buying select models of Sony BRAVIA 1080 LCD TVs will receive a free PS3 until January 28. [Sony]

Hidden MP3 Player Helps Gunman, Busts Detective for Perjury

Wilson Rothman — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 09:30:00 EST

A veteran NYPD detective is in danger of losing his job. A murder suspect gets his sentence reduced to a slap on the wrist, even though he was caught on surveillance camera shooting a man in the face in a Bronx elevator. Why? A little red MP3 player that was stashed in the shooter's pocket during the interrogation.

You can picture the scene. A kid was caught on surveillance camera shooting a guy in a Bronx elevator. The kid tells the NYPD detective that he'd been threatened. The detective was cool with that but wanted to grill the guy for extra info, like what happened to the gun. The trouble was, this whole chat was operating outside the whole "Miranda rights" space. The detective knew this, saying "Our conversation right now does not exist." And it would have disappeared into the wispy past had it not been for an MP3 player in the kid's pocket, a Christmas gift from a few days earlier, which had a Record button.

The shooter captured the whole chat, which he later burned to CD and distributed in court. Now the detective is up for 12 felony counts of perjury (for having denied the conversation ever took place) and the kid, who's best option was originally a plea-bargain of 15 years, was suddenly offered one for just 7 years.

Is this justice? Or is this injustice? More importantly, what MP3 player was it? This was December 2005, the unnamed MP3 player was red, and there was one-touch or some other very easy recording capability, so it wasn't an iPod. Nor was it an unborn Zune, what the rocket scientists at ABC News used to illustrate this story. Let's hear your best armchair forensics guesswork. [NYT]