Leaders of the Poughkeepsie police officers’ union are battling supporters of a civilian-police review board, witness for witness, with one more round to go after Monday evening’s hearing.

What You Need To Know

  • Poughkeepsie PBA reps are verbally attacking council members by name, demanding a larger say in police reform

  • Several activists and at least one officer testified in Monday’s virtual hearing

  • The council chairperson hopes to hold a vote on the matter by the end of 2020

The Common Council has been hearing comments from the public about the possible formation of the review board, which would investigate complaints involving officers, recommend discipline, and have access to police records.

As the legislation is currently written, the board would also have subpoena power, meaning they would be able to summon officers and residents. If someone were to refuse to testify or provide evidence in that case, the person could be jailed.

With new t-shirts and a quickly evolving public information campaign, the Poughkeepsie Police Benevolent Association (PBA) is trying to flood virtual hearings with comments against the formation of such a board.

On a walk through downtown, almost everyone Spectrum News spoke with agreed that citizens should be given some power over their own police force.

“I think it will definitely build better confidence,” business owner Alex Vitonera said, "and a better relationship between everybody.”

“Cops aren’t held accountable because there’s no one to hold them accountable,” local artist B’Ani Sills said. “At the end of the day, we have no say in anything that happens with them.”

“There are times where maybe the situation may need some in-depth explanation,” retiree Jasmine Barksdale said. “Just to make sure.”

Leaders of the PBA have said that a civilian board would waste money and time. More recently, they shared concerns that police were being excluded by a “misguided council” from the discussions about forming the board.

PBA President Chris Libolt wrote in an email to Spectrum News Monday that some council members “want to distort that cops are against oversight, but rather what we are against is no input, and no inclusion on policies that will directly affect the city we swore an oath to protect.”

In a recent interview about police reform, Chief Thomas Pape told Spectrum News he would be fine with a civilian board and would direct his officers to comply with orders to testify before the board, as long as police had a say in the process.

He cringed, though, even at the mention of affording the board the power to jail an officer or civilian who refuses to testify.

“If that citizen chooses not to follow the subpoena, that citizen can be jailed, I just find that ... wrong,” Pape said.

Public comments at Monday evening’s meeting came from a mix of residents, opposed and in favor of creating the board. The next opportunity for public comment on the matter is Monday, October 5.

Common Council Chairperson Sarah Salem said Monday afternoon they hope to hold a council vote on the legislation by the end of the year.