Beacon Police To Provide Business Cards

BEACON, NY — In an effort to broaden transparency and accountability, City of Beacon Police Department officers will be handing out business cards that have the officer's name and badge number. Acting Chief of Police William Cornett issued the order for officers to identify themselves to individuals when beginning certain enforcement activities, including questioning or searches in traffic and checkpoint stops and other non-custodial questioning.

The identification will include the officer's name and rank and an explanation for the activity.

If it does not result in an arrest or summons, the officers will offer their business card.

Cornett said that the cities of Poughkeepsie and Newburgh recently passed laws requiring officers to identify themselves with business cards.

"This is the right thing to do," he said in a news release, "and we don't need a law to tell us that. We are simply requiring all our officers to carry and provide business cards, which will increase transparency and build trust in our community."

Beacon Mayor Lee Kyriacou said he approved the order.

"Like cameras — where the City of Beacon was an early local adopter — transparency helps everyone and builds trust," he said. "Our officers work tirelessly every day to protect Beacon and people should know who they are.

"If a resident has a concern, they should know who is involved and how to proceed," Kyriacou said.

The mayor also said the city began posting the daily police blotter online and has begun a comprehensive review of policing, consistent with the governor's executive order.

In June, Gov. Andrew Cuomo ordered all police departments in New York to reinvent themselves when it comes to use of force, community policing and more. He threatened to revoke state funding if the agencies did not comply.

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