NYPD Seeks New Mobile Tracking Tech Contract
The department is negotiating a $750,500 deal for cell-site simulators to track suspects and missing persons.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Telecommunications
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The NYPD is currently negotiating a $750,500, three-year contract for Cognyte FalcoNet mobile surveillance technology. The department intends to use the cell-site simulators to track suspects and locate missing individuals, pending a review of public comments.
Why it matters
This contract represents the department's attempt to integrate new mobile tracking hardware into its investigative toolkit. The proposal arrives as the city faces ongoing scrutiny regarding past instances of unauthorized use of surveillance databases by its officers.
The FalcoNet system operates as a cell-site simulator capable of being mounted on drones, vehicles, or carried in a backpack. It works by capturing unique identification numbers from nearby mobile devices via a closed, stand-alone network.
The players
NYPD
The primary law enforcement agency for New York City which manages criminal investigations and surveillance technology deployment.
Cognyte
An Israeli technology firm that manufactures surveillance systems, including mobile cell-site simulators.
The details
The FalcoNet device functions by acting as a cellular tower to capture the unique identifiers of devices within its radius as they pass through specific areas. Only four authorized members of the NYPD Technical Assistance Response Unit, a specialized technology support team, are designated to operate the system. Per policy, the NYPD requires a warrant for use unless exigent circumstances occur, in which case a warrant must be filed within 48 hours.
Timeline
February 9: Police rescued an abducted 15-year-old girl using tracking technology.
September 2026: The NYPD began reviewing reports of unauthorized Flock Safety database usage.
October 24, 2026: Details regarding the pending Cognyte contract were made public.
The Tech Race
The proposed adoption of FalcoNet marks the department's latest effort to formalize its mobile tracking capabilities. This follows a documented history of unauthorized surveillance tool usage, including 1,710 instances where officers accessed the Flock Safety database without a contract.
If approved, the technology will be deployed by four authorized Technical Assistance Response Unit members to locate missing persons or criminal suspects. The department states it will not use the system to intercept the contents of phone calls or text messages.
The takeaway
The city's review of public comments will determine whether the NYPD adopts this mobile tracking system for a three-year term. Residents should monitor the upcoming municipal decision process to see if the department secures the $750,500 contract.
Further reading
For broader trends in infrastructure and oversight, see Telecommunications.
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