Start Dialogue On Police Reforms Now, Cuomo Tells Cities

NEW YORK CITY — Gov. Andrew Cuomo gave New York City and other local governments a nudge toward making state-mandated police reform plans.

Hours before Cuomo’s coronavirus-heavy spot at the Democratic National Convention on Monday, he sent a letter to 500 jurisdictions telling them to start “collaborative” local discussions on police reform and reinvention.

“To rebuild the police-community relationship, each local government must convene stakeholders for a fact-based and honest dialogue about the public safety needs of their community,” he wrote. “Each community must envision for itself the appropriate role of the police.”

The guidance jumps off Cuomo’s executive order in June requiring local governments to adopt police reform plans by April 1, 2021. He issued that order amid protests over the killing of George Floyd — in a 14-minute monologue afterward he argued it would lead to substantive action about the role of police in communities.

Cuomo’s letter urged local governments, including New York City, to begin discussions “immediately.”

He also on Monday trained his sights on growing crime in New York City.

“You cannot dismiss these numbers,” he said.

Repairing the trust between communities like New York City and police is in everyone’s best interest, Cuomo said.