This Wednesday, the City of Albany will begin holding long-awaited public hearings on reimagining its police force.
The capital city isn’t alone in this endeavor.
Back in June, Governor Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order requiring local governments in New York to adopt a policing reform plan before April 2021.
But in Albany, the meetings are especially timely, as they follow the suspension and possible termination of an Albany Police officer for making vile and racist remarks caught on a police body camera.
Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan and Police Chief Eric Hawkins are in charge of Albany’s Policing Reform and Reinvention Collaborative, but according to the mayor, their input is less important than that of the community’s.
"The chief and I could have gotten in a room and said ok, well let’s figure this out ourselves. And maybe talk to a few people," Sheehan told Capital Tonight. "I want to hear from the community what they want, and what they’re looking for."
There will be seven public meetings total between Wednesday, December 9 and Monday, January 11.
To sign up, visit Albanyny.gov.
Public Meeting Schedule:
- Wednesday, December 9th, 2020 6:00pm-8:00pm – General Meeting
- Friday, December 11th, 2020 6:00pm-8:00pm – Police Department Functions
- Tuesday, December 15th, 2020 6:00pm-8:00pm – Recruitment & Retention
- Wednesday, December 16th, 2020 6:00pm-8:00pm – Community Safety and Restorative Justice
- Monday, January 4th, 2021 6:00pm-8:00pm – General Meeting
- Wednesday, January 6th, 2021 6:00pm-8:00pm – Policies, SOPs, GO’s
- Monday, January 11th, 2021 6:00pm-8:00pm – Civilian Oversight