NEW YORK, NY – New York City Councilman Yusef Salaam said he was targeted by a New York City police officer while driving in Harlem overnight. Today, the department released bodycamera footage of the incident that not only shows he wasn’t, but that he was given a break by the stopping officer that others might not have been given
“Last night, while driving with my wife and children and listening in to a call with my Council colleagues on speakerphone, I was pulled over by an NYPD officer in my beloved Village of Harlem within the 28th Precinct. I introduced myself as Councilman Yusef Salaam, and subsequently asked the officer why I was pulled over. Instead of answering my question, the officer stated, ‘We’re done here,’ and proceeded to walk away,” Salaam he claimed.
The New York City Police Department (NYPD) has released a statement detailing the events of a traffic stop conducted by an officer in the 26th precinct. The stop, which occurred at approximately 6:20 PM yesterday, involved Councilmember Salaam’s blue sedan, which was pulled over for having windows tinted beyond the legal limit, a contravention of New York State law.
After the officer made the stop, the councilman identified himself.
“You’re working right?” he asked. “Alright, take care sir.”
The officer then let the councilman leave the stop.
The NYPD’s statement emphasized the officer’s adherence to protocol and professionalism during the encounter. According to the report, after the vehicle was stopped, the officer, following standard procedures, approached and identified himself. Councilmember Salaam, who was performing official duties at the time, complied with the officer’s request to roll down his windows and identified himself. The officer, acknowledging Salaam’s identity and duties, allowed him to proceed.
The department highlighted that the interaction, captured on body-worn camera footage, showed the officer conducting himself with respect and professionalism. This conduct is in line with NYPD procedures established following the 2007 incident in which Detective Russel Timoshenko was fatally shot through tinted windows. The officer’s actions, described as polite and respectful, were praised, and his discretion in allowing the councilmember to continue his official duties was commended.
The NYPD clarified that the traffic stop was classified as a Level 4 encounter, indicative of a situation where an officer has probable cause of a violation of New York Vehicle and Traffic Law. This classification is in contrast to a Level 1 interaction, which involves a lower degree of police engagement. Consistent with department policy, the vehicle stop was fully documented in a vehicle report.