Suffolk lawmakers to vote on state-mandated police reform plan Tuesday

More than 150 people in Suffolk County signed up to provide input on the proposals during a series of virtual public hearings.

News 12 Staff

Mar 29, 2021, 11:31 PM

Updated 1,214 days ago

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With the deadline to submit a police reform plan to the state just days away, Suffolk lawmakers are set to vote on the county's proposal Tuesday, despite not everyone being onboard.
Suffolk County legislators will discuss proposed reform plans for the county's police department and sheriff's office before making the vote.
It comes after Gov. Andrew Cuomo mandated police reform plans from municipalities across the state last June following police brutality protests nationwide.
More than 150 people in Suffolk County signed up to provide input on the proposals during a series of virtual public hearings.
Suffolk's plan includes body camera program and a plan for diversifying its police force, among other measures.
Attorney Fred Brewington says the county's plan won't be effective unless there is serious discipline for wrongful actions.
"I think that the current plan as I understand it is insufficient and I don't think that it will be effective unless there's some serious changes to start moving the needle towards change," says Brewington. "And even if that does happen, it's only the first step, it needs to be systemic changes within the institution of policing that eradicate some of the ills that exist."
Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer Robert Calarco thinks the plan accomplishes what Cuomo is looking for.
"I think we developed a plan that really makes progress, that makes good progress towards eliminating bias in our policing, which ensures the public safety," says Calarco.
If the committee approves the measure, it will go to the full Legislature for a final vote.
Members of the public who wish to provide testimony Tuesday can do so via Zoom.


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