NEWBURGH – The passage of the right to know law by the Newburgh City Council Monday night was seen as a good first step toward broadening police department transparency with the community.
Everyone who spoke during a public hearing prior to the unanimous vote supported the law that will require police officers to identify themselves during encounters with the public and at the conclusion if no arrest is made or tickets issued, present them with a business card.
Councilman Robert Sklarz said it was essentially a no-brainer to have the law in place.
“This legislation just provides basic information that any member of the public is entitled to know and have when they encounter any public servant – my name, who do I go to, to file a complaint? Hopefully, the police will embrace the transparency in practices. It helps build the trust between the police and the community,” he said.
Councilwoman Ramona Monteverdi said, “the day of reckoning is here.” She said there needs to be a change in the culture of city staffing.
