NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — The New York City Police Department on Tuesday said it will be inviting New Yorkers to help reform the city’s police force.
Police Commissioner Dermot Shea announced the plan to hear concerns directly from city residents in each of the the five boroughs so that they can have a say in how the police department operates moving forward.
Shea is calling it a “Listening Tour” and it will include eight stops in all five boroughs over the next month. The first event will be held Wednesday in Staten Island.
“This year our city and our nation faced a health, economic and a criminal justice crisis paving the way for reflection and reform. We have a moral imperative to work to make sure that community voices are heard and New Yorkers feel safe and respected no matter the neighborhood that they reside,” said Arva Rice, President and CEO of the New York Urban League.
She and other leaders from several community-based organizations have partnered with the NYPD to gather feedback from New Yorkers.
Rice says community input is likely to make a huge difference.
“NYPD has experienced its share of tasks forces, advisory committees and focus groups,” she said. “This role presents a unique opportunity to influence the future of policing in New York City and to address the ongoing racial disparities in law enforcement.”
The NYPD will also work with Robin Hood CEO Wes Moore and Jennifer Jones Austin, the CEO and executive director of the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies.
Commissioner Shea says the goal of the meetings is to reinvent the system.
“How do we make policing more equitable, fair without sacrificing public safety,” he questioned. “In law enforcement, if you aren’t striving to improve, then you shouldn’t be in this line of work. This new effort, with these critical partners, is vital to making the Police Department stronger, fairer and more transparent.”
The community hearings are in response to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s order to reform police departments across the state.
In a statement the NYPD says, “This joint effort between Commissioner Shea, Mayor de Blasio, and these advisors will respond to and extend beyond Governor Cuomo’s New York State Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative.”
Each meeting with last two hours, from 7 to 9 p.m., and will also be live streamed to maximize participation.
Schedule of Meetings:
Wednesday, October 14 in Staten Island
Friday, October 16 in northern Queens
Monday, October 19 in southern Queens
Wednesday, October 21 in the Bronx
Friday, October 23 in northern Brooklyn
Monday, October 26 in southern Brooklyn
Wednesday, October 28 in northern Manhattan
Friday, October 30 in southern Manhattan
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