Pursuant to the Governor’s Executive Order 203, the Brockport Village Board established an Advisory Committee on Police Reform and Reinvention at their regular meeting on Monday, July 20. This committee of community stakeholders, including representatives from the village board and police department, was created for the purpose of reviewing current police force deployments, strategies, policies, procedures, and practices and to address any racial bias and disproportionate policing of communities of color. The committee will develop a plan that reflects the needs of the community and identify growth opportunities. The committee will promote community engagement that fosters trust, fairness and legitimacy as it relates to policing.
The committee will be comprised of 10 members in addition to Co-Chairs, Mayor Margay Blackman and Trustee Annie Crane, and Chief of Police Mark Cuzzupoli and Lieutenant Steve Mesiti. Members will include representatives from the Brockport community, including community members of color, SUNY Brockport Administration and student body, Brockport Central School District, and the local faith community. All committee meetings will be open to the public, and public input will be allowed at the conclusion of each session. Meetings are anticipated to be held twice monthly, September 2020 through January 2021. Exact dates will be listed on the village website at www.brockportny.org.
The committee will consider, discuss, and debate the topics as stipulated in Executive Order 203 of June 12, 2020, and work on specifically enumerated tasks. The committee will prepare a final report/plan for public comment no later than February 1, 2021. The subsequent plan will be adopted by local law or resolution no later than April 1, 2021 (as required by the Executive Order).
The board stresses that this is a dialogue on policing and should in no way be seen as an indictment of the local police department. Brockport is proud of its police department and grateful for their service. This is an opportunity to grow as a community, to educate ourselves about our public safety practices, and make changes where necessary.
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