The Allegany County Legislature Monday afternoon voted to approve the creation of and appointment of members to the “Police Reform and Reinvention Committee. Legislators Dave Decker of Cuba and Gary Barnes of Wellsville voted against the measure. Here are some thoughts shared prior to the vote:
Legislator Dave Decker (R-Cuba): “This, ahh, resolution ‘Police Reinvention’ sounds like, ahh, liberal speak to me and I’m gonna vote no.”
Legislator Karl Graves (R-Wellsville): “I have a question…looking at the list of appointees here, there’s no a judge. Are they being intentionally left out? And if so, why?” “I kina agree with Dave Decker…it’s just liberal speak.”
Legislator Dwight “Mike” Healy (R-Belmont): “I don’t necessarily disagree with Mr. Decker’s sentiment,” but added we are required to do this by the state. He notes he thought that will serve “are a fine group of people.” Chairman Crandall noted that an Executive Order dictated the positions to serve.
Legislator Hopkins (R-Fillmore): “I would echo Mr. Healy’s thought.”
Legislator Decker (again): “I have no problem with the people being selected for the committee. My main concern is that, ahh, this information is gonna be taken to Albany and spun…and you’re gonna end up with the defunding of the police agencies.
None of the lawmakers expressed any concern with those actually being appointed to the committee.
This is the resolution that was voted on:
WHEREAS, pursuant to Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order No. 203, New York State Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative, each local government entity which has a police agency operating with police officers as defined under 1.20 of the Criminal Procedure Law, must perform a comprehensive review of current police force deployments, strategies, policies, procedures, and practices for the purposes of addressing the particular needs of the communities served by such police agency and promote community engagement to foster trust, fairness, and legitimacy, and to address any racial bias and disproportionate policing of communities of color, and
WHEREAS, in order to fulfill said requirements per the Governor’s Executive Order No. 203, a Committee shall be formed by Allegany County, the Committee shall be known as the “Police Reform and Reinvention Committee,” now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED:
1. That
the creation of the “Police Reform and Reinvention Committee” is hereby
approved.
Dr. Brian Schmitt – Superintendent,
Genesee Valley Central School
Marc Chamberlain – Pastor, Genesis
Bible Church
Keith A. Slep – District Attorney
Barbara J. Kelley – Public Defender
Jeffrey M. Donigan – County Attorney
H. Robert Budinger – Personnel
Officer
Lindy L. White – Assistant Director
Allegany County Community Services
Dwight “Mike” Healy – Legislator
John D. Ricci – Legislator
Ricky L. Whitney – Sheriff
Andrew M. Bigelow – Deputy Sheriff
Lieutenant
Christopher P. Ivers – Jail Administrator
with
a term commencing immediately and expiring April 1, 2021.
