Computers on the New York Police Department's computer network have been used to alter Wikipedia pages containing details of alleged police brutality, reports Capital New York. “The matter is under internal review,” said police spokeswoman Det. Cheryl Crispin after examples of the changes were presented. The edits and changes were linked to the NYPD through a series of Internet Protocol (IP) addresses that can be publicly tracked by various websites.
Computer users working on the NYPD headquarters’ network have edited and attempted to delete Wikipedia entries for several well-known victims of police altercations, including entries for Eric Garner, Sean Bell, and Amadou Diallo. Capital New York identified 85 NYPD addresses that have edited Wikipedia, although it is unclear how many users were involved, as computers on the NYPD network can operate on the department's range of IP addresses. NYPD IP addresses have also been used to edit entries on stop-and-frisk, NYPD scandals, and prominent figures in the city's political and police leadership.