Police reform plan revealed at recent Common Council meeting
Members of the Community Advisory Board who were tasked with developing a police reform plan met with the City of Norwich Common Council on Wednesday night and discussed different aspects of their plan. (Screenshot by Zachary Meseck)
NORWICH – As part of New York State’s push towards police reform, the community advisory board handling the Norwich Police Department gave a presentation on Wednesday night discussing their plans for the future of the local police department.
According to Community Advisory Board Representative Adrienne Zornow, there were several major objectives laid out by the state for the board to accomplish including reviewing the needs of their community, assessing the Norwich Police Department, and creating a collaborative plan that must be adopted, certified, and sent to the state budget director by April 1 of 2021.
“Since September of last year the CAB has met weekly for discussion and work groups,” said Zornow. “As a first step, we conducted internal polling to prioritize the 13 topic areas covered in the guide book that was provided by the governor’s office.”
“Of those 13 we still have four areas that we have not yet finished our discussions including citizen oversight and external accountability, internal accountability for misconduct, reducing racial disparities and building trust, along with data, technology, and transparency.”
Zornow said although the plan is not 100 percent complete the board felt it was very important to get feedback from the council and the community so that they can still make adjustments prior to the deadline.
She said the board also conducted two anonymous surveys one for the community and one for the police department to help guide their decision making.
Another Community Advisory Board member Jen Westervelt also spoke at the meeting and discussed the short-term goals which their board hopes to implement within 18 months of the plan’s approval.
“We’re looking at the development and consideration of a new administration position, with jobs to include but not limited to DEMs (digital evidence management) support, public relations, and office management,” said Westervelt. “We also recommend that the detective position which is currently in the budget and staffing plans for the department be filled.”
“This detective would have the capability to investigate and participate in any investigations, and right now that is the sole responsibility of one detective sergeant.”
Westervelt said the board is also planning to recommend at least two positions be added to the department to help it run more effectively including an animal control and parking reinforcement position, along with an administrative assistant position.
City of Norwich Alderman Robert Jeffrey asked the board to look into potential costs for the positions.
“For the 2021 budget, we budgeted pretty tight, because we wanted to have a minimal impact on our tax base,” said Jeffrey. “I have to guess that New York State might provide some funding sources for this.”
“I know it's difficult for your group to be able to put something together in such a constrained timeline.”
Additional information about the plan was discussed at the meeting, and those interested in learning more may visit the City of Norwich, New York Facebook page where a recording of the meeting was posted in full.
The common council will hold a public hearing to hear comments on the Community Advisory Board at 6:30 p.m. on January 26, and is expect to occur via Zoom.
City representatives said individuals must call or email if their intention is to speak at the meeting at (607) 334-1201 or aeaton@norwichnewyork.net They may also submit a written statement for the record by mail to City of Norwich, Attn: Deputy City Clerk, One City Plaza, Norwich, NY 13815.
According to Community Advisory Board Representative Adrienne Zornow, there were several major objectives laid out by the state for the board to accomplish including reviewing the needs of their community, assessing the Norwich Police Department, and creating a collaborative plan that must be adopted, certified, and sent to the state budget director by April 1 of 2021.
“Since September of last year the CAB has met weekly for discussion and work groups,” said Zornow. “As a first step, we conducted internal polling to prioritize the 13 topic areas covered in the guide book that was provided by the governor’s office.”
“Of those 13 we still have four areas that we have not yet finished our discussions including citizen oversight and external accountability, internal accountability for misconduct, reducing racial disparities and building trust, along with data, technology, and transparency.”
Zornow said although the plan is not 100 percent complete the board felt it was very important to get feedback from the council and the community so that they can still make adjustments prior to the deadline.
She said the board also conducted two anonymous surveys one for the community and one for the police department to help guide their decision making.
Another Community Advisory Board member Jen Westervelt also spoke at the meeting and discussed the short-term goals which their board hopes to implement within 18 months of the plan’s approval.
“We’re looking at the development and consideration of a new administration position, with jobs to include but not limited to DEMs (digital evidence management) support, public relations, and office management,” said Westervelt. “We also recommend that the detective position which is currently in the budget and staffing plans for the department be filled.”
“This detective would have the capability to investigate and participate in any investigations, and right now that is the sole responsibility of one detective sergeant.”
Westervelt said the board is also planning to recommend at least two positions be added to the department to help it run more effectively including an animal control and parking reinforcement position, along with an administrative assistant position.
City of Norwich Alderman Robert Jeffrey asked the board to look into potential costs for the positions.
“For the 2021 budget, we budgeted pretty tight, because we wanted to have a minimal impact on our tax base,” said Jeffrey. “I have to guess that New York State might provide some funding sources for this.”
“I know it's difficult for your group to be able to put something together in such a constrained timeline.”
Additional information about the plan was discussed at the meeting, and those interested in learning more may visit the City of Norwich, New York Facebook page where a recording of the meeting was posted in full.
The common council will hold a public hearing to hear comments on the Community Advisory Board at 6:30 p.m. on January 26, and is expect to occur via Zoom.
City representatives said individuals must call or email if their intention is to speak at the meeting at (607) 334-1201 or aeaton@norwichnewyork.net They may also submit a written statement for the record by mail to City of Norwich, Attn: Deputy City Clerk, One City Plaza, Norwich, NY 13815.
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