A New York Police Department memo telling rank-and-file cops to make filing criminal reports easier is just the start of preventing crime stat fudging, critics tell the New York Daily News. “It does seem like common sense,” said Noel Leader, a retired police sergeant and co-founder of 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement. “You really shouldn't have to encourage officers to do this.”
Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly spelled out steps cops should take when someone wants to report a crime. The missive tells cops to take reports even if the victim can't identify the suspect or provide a stolen goods' receipt. It also specifies that a report should be taken when victims refuse to speak with detectives or view photos — and even if they don't want to prosecute. Leader said often supervisors don't want cops to take reports when a victim hasn't seen the face of a perpetrator because it is unlikely the crime will get solved.