Community News

Mayor Billy Barlow held a public forum this evening to present the Oswego Police Department’s Reform and Re-invention plan.

The plan was created as directed by a June 12th Executive Order from New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo, requiring every law enforcement agency in the state to adopt a police reform plan by April 2021, or risk losing state aid funding. Earlier this year, Mayor Barlow said Oswego’s plan would focus on bringing Oswego Police Department to closer to the community to build relationships and improve communication. In November, Barlow created a six-member committee to vet a propose plan developed throughout the Summer and Fall, make recommendations ahead of the public forum and incorporate public feedback and opinion moving forward.

During the public forum, Mayor Barlow gave a presentation about the Oswego Police Department, call and arrest data, and special initiatives before unveiling Oswego’s proposed Police Re-vention plan to the public. “The Oswego community at large respects and appreciates the Oswego Police Department and law enforcement and want to know our city is well protected. That is why our proposed police-reinvention plan is designed to bring our officers closer to the community, allowing officers to better know our community and the people we serve,” said Mayor Billy Barlow. “Our proposed plan and the included initiatives are thoughtful, balanced and designed to fit our community. Our community values law enforcement supports the Oswego Police Department and places a premium on public safety,” Barlow said.

The City of Oswego Police Reform & Re-invention Plan Highlights

• Incorporate mental health counselors to co-respond to mental health, crisis intervention calls
• Make annual anti-bias, de-escalation & minimization of force training mandatory
• Mandated minimum number of hours for department foot & bike patrols
• Launch HOPE initiative to combat homelessness, poverty
• Participate in Service to Aid Families (SAF) to follow up on police interactions & service
• Partner with County DA Greg Oakes on “Handle with Care” program, childcare support
• Permanently assign an officer to community policing unit to coordinate with service groups
• Increase education and situational awareness training, implement “Smart Technologies”
• Implement regular “Quality Assurance Surveys” for department, individual officers
• Create a consistent policy and channel for citizen and internal complaints
• Publicize all OPD policies and procedures, including training, on city website

Chief of the Oswego Police Department, Phil Cady, said “I would like to thank Mayor Barlow, the council and the residents of our city for their continued support. The department has taken the governors executive order as an opportunity to build on and further enhance the professional service we provide to the city. We look forward to implementing these exciting initiatives.”

Following the presentation of the plan, Mayor Barlow took questions and allowed for the public to comment on the proposals. Barlow said the public comment period will remain open until final adoption by the Common Council in late January. The plan will also be subject to a public committee meeting and a final public hearing before final approval. To view the plan in its entirety, visit link https://www.oswegony.org/government/police. Residents wishing to submit comments in writing can email publiccomment@oswegony.org.