Says it would like to hear from diverse voices
Putnam County last month put out a call for residents to discuss policing issues with its 21-member Police Review Panel, which is chaired by Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell and includes police officials as well as legislative, county and municipal leaders.
The panel was established in August in response to an order by Gov. Andrew Cuomo that requires each of the 500 jurisdictions with police departments in New York state to develop a reform plan by April 1 that addresses the use of force, de-escalation and community-based outreach, among other topics.
At a meeting held on Sept. 15, Michael Piazza Jr., the commissioner of the county’s Department of Social Services and Mental Health, invited residents to participate in the discussion, “particularly those in community and cultural diversity groups, people of color, the Latino and LGBTQIA communities, faith-based groups, veteran’s organizations, schools and mental-health consumers,” according to a news release by the county.
The email address to sign up is [email protected].
The county also has a website at putnamcountyny.gov/policereviewpanel where its posts information. The panel is scheduled to meet on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month through the end of the year.
Do your job and stay away from politicians. Use as much force as needed but not more than needed. Protect and serve. That’s all that can be asked of our police.