OSWEGO – Mayor Billy Barlow and Oswego Chief of Police Phil Cady held a public forum Wednesday evening, Dec. 16, presenting the Oswego Police Department’s Reform and Re-invention Plan for the city.
The meeting was held at the McCrobie Civic Center on Lake Street in Oswego.
On June 12, 2020, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo signed an Executive Order called the New York State Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative.
The order requires every law enforcement agency in the state to adopt a police reform plan by April 2021; municipalities risking the loss of state aid funding if they choose not to comply.
Barlow said Oswego’s new plan would directly focus on bringing the Oswego Police Department closer to the community, with the target effort of building relationships and improving communication.
In November, a six-member committee was created to vet a proposed plan developed throughout the summer and fall; the board working together to make recommendations ahead of the public forum while incorporating public feedback and opinion moving forward.
Barlow gave a presentation about the Oswego Police Department, covering the administrations functions, accomplishments and targeted initiatives before unveiling the proposed plan to the public.
“The Oswego community at large respects and appreciates the Oswego Police Department and law enforcement and want to know our city is well protected. That is why our proposed police-reinvention plan is designed to bring our officers closer to the community, allowing officers to better know our community and the people we serve,” Barlow said. “Our proposed plan and the included initiatives are thoughtful, balanced and designed to fit our community. Our community values law enforcement supports the Oswego Police Department and places a premium on public safety.”
The City of Oswego Police Reform & Re-invention Plan Highlights
-Incorporate mental health counselors to co-respond to mental health/crisis intervention calls.
-Make annual anti-bias, de-escalation & minimization of force training mandatory.
-Mandated minimum number of hours for department foot & bike patrols.
-Launch HOPE initiative to combat homelessness and poverty.
-Participate in Service to Aid Families (SAF) to follow up on police interactions & service.
-Partner with County District Attorney Greg Oakes on “Handle with Care Program” and childcare support.
-Permanently assign an officer to the Community Policing Unit to coordinate with service groups.
-Increase Education and Situational Awareness Training, including the implementation of “Smart Technologies”
-Implement regular Quality Assurance Surveys for the Oswego Police Department and individual officers.
-Create a consistent policy and channel for citizen and internal complaints.
-Publicize all OPD policies and procedures, including training on the City of Oswego website.
Oswego Chief of Police Phil Cady spoke at the end of the discussion, thanking members and covering specific portions of the plan.
“I would like to thank Mayor Barlow and the Council for their continued and unwavering support, and I’d also like to thank our stakeholders and committee members that are here tonight. Several members of the Police Department are here tonight, and I’d like to thank everybody for attending. You guys are the backbone of the department and are what makes this plan work,” Cady said. “Our residents are very supportive of us. I’ve been amazed at the amount of emails I get thanking members for our service. The cards we get – we are immersed in our community, we enjoy working here and we’re going to continue that. The department has taken the Governors Executive Order as an opportunity to build on, and further enhance the professional service we provide to the city. We look forward to implementing these exciting initiatives.”
Following the presentation, Barlow allowed time for the public to comment on the proposal, mentioning the online comment period remaining open to the public until final adoption by the Common Council in late January.
The plan will also be subject to a public committee meeting and a final public hearing before final approval. To view the plan in its entirety, visit link https://www.oswegony.org/government/police. Residents wishing to submit comments in writing can email [email protected].
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