Our Work around Police-Community Relations
Over the next few days and weeks, we will try to do some thing that is challenging for city government with limited resources— we’re going to try to talk about the work that we’ve done and the work that we’re doing. In an effort to keep you informed, we often share information once. Our biggest challenges are not an instance in time, they are a series of efforts to improve the quality of life for all of us. We’ll start with a simple fact sheet on what we’ve done for the past 2.5 years as it relates to police accountability and police community relations. From there, we’ll break down that work and share questions and answers we’ve gotten along the way. We’re thankful that we have a community of residents and a community of officers who have come together in the past to talk about these issues and more importantly to work on solutions.
Mayor Walsh Signs Executive Order on Police Reform
On June 19, Mayor Walsh signed an Executive Order on Syracuse Police Reform immediately authorizing 16 actions to strengthen police accountability and improve police-community relations. Among the provisions is the enactment of the Right to Know act.
City Makes PBA Contracts and Updated SPD Policies Public
In June, Mayor Walsh pledged to make SPD policies publicly available on the SPD website and available tot he public. This included, the most recent collective bargaining agreement with the Syracuse Police Benevolent Association (PBA), other documents and the unapproved PBA contract of 2019.
Our Work on Police-Community Relations and Accountability: A Two-Year Timeline
The Police Accountability/Community Relations fact sheet provides an overview of reform actions taken to improve policing efforts within the Syracuse Police Department (SPD).
Looking Back: A Community Input Report for Police Chief Search
In 2018, Deputy Mayor Owens launched a 10-month search for a Police Chief provisioned by a series of community input meetings and stakeholder meetings to understand what residents and stakeholders feelings were about their public safety. The meetings were compiled into the Syracuse Police Chief Search Community Input Report.
Read More about the Public Engagement Process in selecting a Chief...
Syracuse Police Department Releases Body-Worn Camera Policy
In June 2019, Along with the new Use of Force policy, which was completed under Chief Buckner’s direction during the first half of this year, the Department is also sharing its existing Use of Force policies; its Body Worn Camera policy; and its policy regarding officer demeanor on traffic stops.