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Q&A
Increase in arrests resulting from DOI investigations
1:34:51
ยท
103 sec
Council Member Brewer inquires about the recent increase in arrests resulting from DOI investigations. Commissioner Strauber explains the factors contributing to this increase and the department's focus on impactful cases.
- Arrests increased from 288 in 2022 to 344 in 2024, with further increases in 2025
- Large-scale investigations, like the NYCHA case, can lead to multiple arrests
- DOI focuses on impactful cases rather than being driven by arrest statistics
- Factors contributing to the increase include efficient work by DOI staff, increased complaints, and prosecutors bringing more cases post-pandemic
Gale Brewer
1:34:51
Okay.
1:34:53
Arrest by local enforcement can occur as a result of an investigation.
1:34:58
You've mentioned that.
1:34:59
The figure has increased in recent years, to your credit, from 288 in '22 to $3.44 in '24, and I think up, even in '25.
1:35:11
So, to the credit, I think, of what your investigations are showing, but what's the reason for the recent years?
1:35:19
And are there are there certain types of investigations that lead to more arrests?
Jocelyn E. Strauber
1:35:24
You know, sure.
1:35:27
I mean, if you think about the the NYCHA case, that was an unusually large case where we were able to obtain evidence of illegal conduct that was quite wide spread in an organization.
1:35:41
So when you have an investigation that can do that, you're you're gonna have more arrests.
1:35:45
Know, I think I think how much time an investigation takes and even how significant it is may not necessarily be reflected in how many arrests it generates.
1:35:55
You can envision, for example, like an arrest of a senior official is a very significant one, but that's only one arrest.
1:36:02
And so we really try to be more focused on doing impactful cases than than sort of being stat driven.
1:36:08
I think the arrests have increased certainly because we've been quite busy.
1:36:12
We've had a lot of complaints.
1:36:13
You know, our folks have done efficient and and excellent work.
1:36:17
Prosecutors also, think, were slower coming out of the pandemic than they are now.
1:36:21
I think they are bringing more cases than they were a couple years ago.
1:36:26
So it's it's sort of a lot of factors that that go into having an increased number, you know, in any one particular year.