NEW YORK, Feb 10, CMC – As the New York Police Department (NYDP), over the years, faced intense criticism over the controversial “stop-and-frisks” policy regarding Caribbean and other immigrants and minorities, the department has reported what it described as a “major decline” in the use of the tactic. In its latest report of data for 2012, the NYPD said cops used the controversial tactic 22 percent less and seized 14 percent fewer weapons than in the previous year. Paul Browne, the NYPD spokesman, said the drop in “stop-and-frisks reflects a fall in staffing in high-crime areas, also called “impact zones.” “Stops declined after increased training and a decline in impact staffing, but ultimately the number reflects suspicious behavior observed by police officers,there was a period after the first quarter where staffing of impact posts, which had been doubled, was lowered to address demand for staffing of regular precinct assignments,” he added.