In June of 2020, Governor Cuomo issued NYS Executive Order 203 in response to the death of George Floyd. Mindful that Floyd was simply the most recent example of a Black person killed by police brutality, Cuomo’s stated intent was to require law enforcement at the county and municipal levels to undergo a process of review, reform and modernization.
https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/no-203-new-york-state-police-reform-and-reinvention-collaborative
At the local level, the Red Hook Police Department is under the auspices of the Village of Red Hook’s Board of Trustees and is officially contracted for some patrol shifts and responding to emergency calls in the Town of Red Hook. Officially, the Village of Tivoli contracts with the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Department for both routine patrol and emergency response. In actuality, given their proximity, the RHPD frequently responds to emergency calls from Tivoli as well.
In preparation for this process and to better understand the dynamics, concerns and complaints of their residents, Tivoli asked the Dutchess County Human Rights Commission to facilitate two listening sessions at which residents could share their experiences with the municipal government. You can listen to the recordings of those sessions here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYAvdgT2L0k , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_f2IXnm8GSY ).
Dutchess County undertook a county-wide review process that might serve smaller municipalities in preparation of their own processes. The County formed 3 work groups: 1 composed of county residents and stakeholders; 1 for municipal leaders and police chiefs from every municipality with a police department in the County; and, 1 for the County employees working to support the development of the plan. The County defined the stakeholder group as a diverse body in charge of collecting and evaluating public input, giving feedback on policies, and contributing to the County’s final report. The working group of officials and officers was charged with writing the final policy plan that would be issued by the County. The third work group was charged with the work necessary to have the public forums run by the DC Human Rights Commission and to research, finalize and publish the ensuing plan.
The Dutchess County Human Rights Commission held a public forum on police reform & modernization for the areas of Milan, Rhinebeck and Red Hook on Sept. 26, 2020. You can watch the recording of that community forum on YouTube.
In December of 2020, Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro issued the final plan summarizing the two groups’ conclusions and recommendations.
In February of 2021, the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Department issued their final 203 plan.
https://www.dutchessny.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Docs/DCSO-Police-Reform-and-Modernization-Plan.pdf
In January of 2021, The Village of Red Hook began its 203 process of review, reform and modernization of the Red Hook Police Department. The mayor convened a working group composed of the Village Board of Trustees, RHPD Sergeant Hildenbrand, Dr. Kahan Sablo of Bard College, Melkorka Kjarval of RHEDI, and Kim McGrath of the RH Chamber of Commerce. The working group convened three times and welcomed public involvement and comment throughout.
Watch the recordings of two of these sessions here:
Jan 7, 2021 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiCwdlqyI2U
Jan 21, 2021 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_73iUXsAMc
The draft plan created after these working group meetings was then offered for public comment. You can request the recordings of the public comment sessions by contacting the Village Clerk at info@redhooknyvillage.org. RHEDI submitted a letter to the Board of Trustees to register our concerns about both the 203 process and the offered plan. You can read it here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YcZ-Q1FkisOh5wMqJfAHckpGSwaUDtQ__22LsNWEYTk/edit
At the regular Board of Trustees meeting on Monday, March 1, 2021, they voted to adopt the final plan.
https://www.redhookvillage.org/DocumentCenter/View/202/Police-Reform—Final–3-8-21
Interested in learning more about the 203 process and volunteering on the issues of police reform, community policing and associated issues? Show up to Village Board of Trustee meetings to advocate for the “voluntary advisory committee” promised in the Village’s final plan. Advocate for and hold the Village accountable to increasing access to authority, ask the Village Board how they will sustain the intentions and ideals expressed in the plan with actions and changes. Talk to RHEDI about the many ways you can express your concerns about community policing in Red Hook.
There are also important advocacy steps you can take regionally or at the state-wide level. Read the petition below from ENJAN and add your signature to the requests.
ENJAN petition: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/demand-an-end-to-racial-injustice-in-nys-policing-now-extend-eo203?source=direct_link