A framework of 120 essential questions every $6 billion police department should be able to answer. We can answer only 30 with publicly available data (25%). NEW: 911 response data (2013-2025) proves overtime WORSENS performance.
If you cannot measure it, you cannot manage it. If you cannot manage it, you cannot justify a $6 billion budget. Every single one of these questions is answerable. Every private company with 35,000 employees would track most of this.
Clearance rates, response times, resource deployment. Do we solve crimes effectively?
Cost per clearance, cost per arrest, cost per conviction. What does justice actually cost?
$2.25B over budget (FY2023-2025). Is overtime helping solve crimes or just inflating costs?
How does NYC compare to LA, Chicago, London, Tokyo? Are we getting value for money?
77 precincts vs LA's 21. Staffing ratios, administrative overhead, consolidation opportunities.
Conviction rates, complaint rates, use of force. Are we arresting the right people?
Investigation process, crime prevention programs, technology effectiveness. What actually works?
What happens if we add/cut 1,000 officers? Alternative investments, opportunity costs.
Why don't we track basic metrics? Are we gaming stats? Who benefits from opacity?
Each section contains specific questions the NYPD should be able to answer. Where we have data, we provide visualizations and analysis. Where we do not have data, we explain why it matters and what you should ask for in FOIL requests.
This is a living resource. As new data becomes available, we will add it. If you have data that can answer any of these questions, please share it with us.