Overview

The NYS Governor’s Police Reform and Reinvention Initiative required that localities undergo an examination of police agencies and their relationship to the public to ensure transparency, accountability, trust and mutual respect, between law enforcement and the community they serve.  This work was conducted by the Bedford Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative Committee (PRRCC), which comprised a diverse set of residents, business owners and members of the Police Department, and reported to the Town Board on March 16, 2021.  This work was memorialized and reported to New York State, in compliance with their deadline of April 1, 2021.  The report may be accessed here. 

The PRRCC recommended the Town of Bedford establish a Police Community Group (PCG) to work in collaboration with the Bedford Police Department to support the implementation of the reform initiatives included in their report.  View resolution here. 

Police Community Group 

The PCG initiatives and outcomes are highlighted below, as presented to the Town Board on November 9, 2023: 

Increase Training & Data Collection

• Established regular reporting by Chief to Town Board
  • Annual report to Town Board 
  • Bi-weekly meetings with Supervisor and regular communications with the Town Board Liaison 
• Annual feedback survey  

Expand and Strengthen Community Engagement

• Partnership and presence in Supervisor’s Events & Outreach
  • Newcomer event
  • Business community meet & greet
• PD community events & programs in collaboration with Town Board
  • Launch of National Night Out event
  • Coffee with Cops, Catalytic Converter Installation, Car Seat Safety, & Bike Safety
  • Proactive community inclusion of Blue Path Autism Service Dog (Maverick) training program  

Institute Use of Body Cameras

• Complete

Increase Transparency of Data & Communications

• Publish annual report on website 
• Extensive PD communications strategy, especially through social media

Focus on Diversity of Hiring

• On-going, proactive efforts  

Implement Enhanced Process for Complaint Filing & Oversight

• QR code distributed on police business cards
• Power Engage  tool to receive real time feedback
• Additional complaint option for residents to reach out to the Supervisor or the Town Board PCG liaison. 

With the sunset of the PCG, the Town Board, in its capacity as the acting Board of Police Commissioners, will continue its oversight of the Police Department, continue to ensure transparent and open communications on a regular basis and consider ways in which innovative ideas and best practices are proactively integrated.