POUGHKEEPSIE – The Poughkeepsie Common Council Monday night ratified the proposed Police Reform and Modernization Plan as per Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order 203. The ratification by the city’s legislative body is required by April 1 to comply with Cuomo’s mandate.
The city’s plan as presented by Police Chief Tom Pape and Mayor Rob Rolison can be found on the city’s website dedicated to police reform.
The plan was met with opposition by a few members of the public who spoke before the vote. Kevin Carswell of the Poughkeepsie Community Action Collaborative (PCAC) published their own police reform report. which said “The CPPD has engaged in a clear pattern of unconstitutional and hardcore discrimination against the black and African American population of Poughkeepsie. It is further demonstrated that these practices have been ramped up since the mayor, city administrator, and chief of police settled into their offices.” During his comments on Monday, Carswell reiterated those comments.*
Carswell’s comments were rebutted by Councilwoman Natasha Cherry when she shared her thoughts on the process and the plan itself. Cherry, who is African American, chastised the attempts to smear Rolison and Pape. “Police Chief Pape has been dedicated to reform for at least as long as I have been on the council,” said Cherry, who previously served as Council President. The veteran lawmaker also encouraged groups like PCAC and ENJAN to promote the innovative Poughkeepsie plan to neighboring municipalities.
“It is really going to take an expanded effort outside the City of Poughkeepsie to change things for our community,” she said.
Cherry became tearful when it came to her 17-year-old son who is one of the leaders of the Poughkeepsie High School basketball team. “Unless you have an African-American son, there’s not much you can tell me about police reform, because I’ve had to raise him on how to do things that other parents didn’t have to teach their children to do,” said Cherry. She noted that her parenting included having to teach her son how to dress to avoid looking like a criminal to avoid any negative police interactions. Ms. Cherry also took aim at those who have called Rolison a racist. “The mayor is the most colorblind person I’ve ever met!”
Second Ward Councilman Evan Menist, who is seeking to implement a Civilian Review Board, called this plan the beginning. “The passage of this plan is a foundation for future reform, and that reform will be the basis for a new era of trust and partnership between the police and the community.”
Rolison was grateful for the unanimous passage of the plan that will now head to Albany. “Many hours of work went into this by our Procedural Justice Committee and the community. We should be proud of this plan and it can be an example for others to look to for guidance. The work and discussions of policing in this city will always be ongoing so our community can feel the trust and transparency that is needed in public safety.”
* The original version of this article mischaracterized the statement of Mr. Carswell, indicating that the speaker implied that Rolison and Pape were racists. Upon review, the characterization was erroneous and Mid Hudson News apologizes for any inconvenience. Mr. Carswell cited the PCAC report that the police department has engaged in hardcore discrimination, as opposed to being racist, as was interpreted.
