New York State Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative

On June 12, 2020, Governor Cuomo signed Executive Order 203 requiring all municipalities with a police department to perform a comprehensive review of current police force deployments, strategies, policies, procedures, and practices, and develop a plan to improve such deployments, strategies, policies, procedures, and practices, for the purposes of addressing the particular needs of the communities served by such police agency and promote community engagement to foster trust, fairness, and legitimacy, and to address any racial bias and disproportionate policing of communities of color.  The purpose of the New York State Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative is “to foster trust, fairness and legitimacy” within communities throughout our State and “to address any racial bias and disproportionate policing of communities of color.” The United States Department of Justice has emphasized the need for “trust between citizens and their peace officers so that all components of a community are treating one another fairly and justly and are invested in maintaining public safety in an atmosphere of mutual respect."

The Town and Village of New Paltz began this process in July 2020, culminating with the accepting of the New Paltz Police Reform and Reinvention Committee final report on April 1, 2021.  The issuance of the Committee's report was the beginning of the reformation process.  It provided local elected officials and the Chief of Police with a guide on how to better serve the needs of the community.  Starting in May 2021, the Police Commission will review 2-3 recommendations at their monthly Police Commission meeting.  These meetings are also recorded and can be viewed in their entirety at the New Paltz Public Access YouTube site, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx_gKl1M_G1YAumRIihs__Q

Below are material referenced in the Committee's final report.