Many City of Poughkeepsie community members expressed support of the proposed Right to Know Act, and hope it’s the first step in further establishing trust between police and residents.
Others expressed concerns, while police explained why there was initial hesitance to accept it, during Monday’s virtual City of Poughkeepsie Common Council public hearing discussing the proposed legislation.
The Right to Know Act would require City of Poughkeepsie police officers to identify themselves each time they ask to question, frisk or search someone. Officers would also have to give their rank to the person, along with a business card with their identification and contact information for the police department.
'Right to Know' law 'important first step' with community leaders' approval
Why large protests didn't spark surge in COVID-19 cases
Beacon's Elijah Hughes uses platform, marches George Floyd protest
The person can then choose to obtain a written record of any interaction with the officer that does not end in an arrest, summons or ticket — a law titled “City Officers and Employees,” in coordination with the Right to Know Act. The legislation would amend the code of ordinances.
The Common Council held a meeting following the public hearing, though setting a date to vote on passing the legislation was not on the agenda.
Those participating in the public hearing voiced approval of the legislation, but hope there can be further action taken.
“I call on you all to pass the Right to Know Act and go further to commit to developing a real system of accountability, including a civilian oversight board,” said Eli King, member of the Mid-Hudson Valley Democratic Socialists of America.
Katherine Hite, a Vassar College professor, urged the council to “pursue action that will increase transparency in police practices and build trust between police officers and members of the public.” She added the Right to Know Act is “the most minimal, most basic of steps toward police transparency and trust-building.”
Conversely, there were concerns about the legislation expressed.
Jennie Robinson, a teacher, questioned if the law would put officers in danger.
“Is it going to cause backlash based on rank, as often occurs when rank is given in any field of work?” I’m wondering what type of danger this might put officers in,” she said. “The overall goal of this law seems as though it’s trying to build trust, and I’m unsure where that is written within the law and what the council is trying to do to build that trust.”
Likewise, City of Poughkeepsie Police Chief Thomas Pape participated. He said the department was at first reluctant to accept the legislation when it met with the End New Jim Crow Network in 2016. Pape mentioned the idea for the Right to Know Act came about due to the “wrongdoings of a large, metropolitan police department.”
Still, he said the department will take the new local law that the council establishes, create policy around that law and hand out business cards as the Right to Know is enacted.
“If the Right to Know is going to help our public relations and if everyone is going to feel better about it, and we’re going to do a better job in our public relations, then at the end of the day, we’re handing out a business card,” Pape said. “Which, quite frankly, we should be doing anyway.”
The proposal comes in the wake of a Minneapolis police officer killing George Floyd in May. Since, numerous protests and demonstrations have been held calling for an end to police brutality and systemic racism against the Black community.
Multiple marches and vigils have been held in the City of Poughkeepsie, drawing thousands of protesters. Many have called for the defunding of police departments and redirecting those funds to community organizations.
A.J. Martelli: 845-437-4836, amartelli@poughkeepsiejournal.com, Twitter: @AJ_Martelli
"right" - Google News
July 07, 2020 at 09:43AM
https://ift.tt/2VSI5iJ
Right to Know Act: Support, concerns voiced at Poughkeepsie public hearing - Poughkeepsie Journal
"right" - Google News
https://ift.tt/32Okh02
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Right to Know Act: Support, concerns voiced at Poughkeepsie public hearing - Poughkeepsie Journal"
Post a Comment