The NYPD is set to announce new guidelines Thursday for documenting and tracking the use of force, according to The New York Times.

Under the new rules, officers will now have to detail every instance in which force is used, not only in an arrest but in other encounters with the public as well. The guidelines are part of a raft of NYPD reforms that come in the wake of several police encounters with black men and women that have drawn widespread criticism.

The issue came to light again last month after former tennis star James Blake, in a case of mistaken identity, was tackled by an NYPD officer who had a documented history of civilian complaints.

Al Baker, a reporter for The New York Times, says, according to the new rules, officers who use excessive force or who don't report other officers using excessive force will face disciplinary action. 

"Now its clear, you will be punished if you fail. It will be treated as corruption, perhaps as a crime or at least as internal corruption," Baker said. "You will be punished and perhaps fired... that's a very new change in this."

Baker also noted that the NYPD is implementing these changes ahead of any Justice Department action stemming from the Eric Garner case.