NEWBURGH – The City of Newburgh has created a Police Advisory Committee in response to the governor’s order for municipalities to reform and reinvent law enforcement.
The state order was established in mid-June to address racial inequities in policing, and is also intended to modernize policing strategies, policies, procedures and practices to better address the needs of communities of color.
The Police Advisory Committee is separate from the city’s Police Community Relations and Review Board, which has a goal of improving communications between law enforcement and the community, increase police accountability and credibility with the public, and to create a fair and impartial complaint procedure.
The two boards will work in close collaboration with one another.
The new 15-member board will review the state’s executive order and its requirements and create a plan to implement changes in the Newburgh Police Department.
The new committee will address elements of policing including:
- Policy for use of force
- Training practices
- Data collection, disclosure and transparency
- Community engagement
- Oversight and discipline
- Complaint procedure
- Equipment
City residents and local business owners may apply for membership. Applications will be accepted until Friday, August 14. Letters of interest should be mailed to the Executive Office, City Hall, 83 Broadway, Newburgh, NY 12550 or emailed to Eliana Diaz, Executive Assistance to the city manager at ediaz@cityofnewburgh-ny.gov .
The advisory committee will hold its first meeting by the end of August and will meet biweekly for the remainder of the year.
The report is due to the state by next April.
