KINGSTON – Following city
resident complaints about the way Kingston Police handle cases, particularly
involving people of color, Mayor Steven Noble announced on Tuesday a series
of new measures to fully investigate those instances.
Noble said that following a police commission session last week and a community forum Monday night, “it is clear that there are some residents of Kingston who do not feel safe in our city and that this feeling of uncertainty and fear is shared disproportionately by people of color.”
As a result, he has proposed new measures to be put in place immediately:
In all instances in which force is used, including use of baton, OC (also known as pepper spray), and/or Taser, a report will be immediately generated for the Mayor’s review. In addition, the Police Commission will review all uses of force, regardless of whether or not a formal complaint has been submitted, at every meeting.
A written decision will be issued by the Police Commission after it has reviewed and deliberated the details of complaints and this decision will be provided to the individual who filed the complaint, the officers cited in the complaint, and made publicly available. Each written decision will include a summary of the complaint and the factors considered amongst the Commissioners.
An invitation will be extended to the NYCLU to meet with members of the Police Commission and the Kingston Common Council to learn about and consider legislative options, such as the “Right To Know Act”, to instill real and consequential institutional change.
Noble said he believes in the police department, its leadership and officers, but he said “police misconduct and excessive use of force will not be tolerated.”
A recent incident, caught on video, showed officers stopping a black
man on the street, who was waiting for a ride to work, and using what
appeared to be excessive force when questioning him believing he might
be a suspect in a crime.
Supporters of the man say he was tasered repeatedly by police.
