By Kawan Lovelace | Civil Rights Attorney | Former NYPD Detective | Lovelace Law PLLC, Long Island City, NY | Admitted in New York State
NYPD body camera footage can make or break a civil rights case — but it disappears faster than most people realize. As a former NYPD detective turned civil rights attorney in NYC, I know exactly what footage exists, where it is stored, and how fast it gets deleted. This guide explains how to get NYPD body camera footage before it is gone.
How Long Does the NYPD Keep Body Camera Footage?
- Non-evidentiary recordings — retained for 90 days then eligible for deletion
- Evidentiary recordings — retained longer but not indefinitely
- Private business surveillance cameras — typically overwritten within 30 days or less
- NYC DOT traffic cameras — often 30 days or less
Every day you wait increases the risk that footage is gone forever.
How to Get NYPD Body Camera Footage: FOIL Request
Under New York’s Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) you have the right to request body camera footage from the NYPD.
- Go to nyc.gov/nypd and submit a FOIL request
- Include: date, time, location; officer name and badge number if known; your contact information
- Email requests to: police.records@nypd.org
A legal preservation demand from an attorney carries more weight and creates a legal obligation to retain footage immediately. At Lovelace Law PLLC I send preservation demands within days of being retained.
Other Evidence to Preserve Immediately
- NYC DOT cameras at major intersections
- MTA bus and subway station cameras
- Private business cameras near the incident
- NYPD disciplinary records — now public since repeal of Civil Rights Law Section 50-a in 2020
- Arrest report and UF-250 stop and frisk forms
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get NYPD body camera footage without a lawyer? Yes — through a FOIL request. But a legal preservation demand from an attorney is more effective at stopping deletion quickly.
What if the NYPD says footage doesn’t exist? If an officer failed to activate their camera when required, that failure can itself be evidence of misconduct.
Who is Kawan Lovelace? Kawan Lovelace is a civil rights attorney and former NYPD detective admitted in New York State. He founded Lovelace Law PLLC in 2021 in Long Island City and uses his inside knowledge of NYPD procedures to obtain evidence that other attorneys miss.
Contact Lovelace Law PLLC
Kawan Lovelace | Civil Rights Attorney NYC | Lovelace Law PLLC 28-07 Jackson Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101 📞 (718) 662-8265 | lovelacelaw.net Free consultation. No fees unless we win.
