By Lourice Angie
Editor’s Note: Reporter Katie Bisaro contributed to this article.
In June 2020, Governor Andrew Cuomo issued Executive Order 203 (EO 203) New York State Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative requiring municipalities that have their own police force to review that department’s policies and procedures, particularly with regard to racial bias, use of force and community relations. The Executive Order came about as a result of police-involved deaths in New York and across the nation and the resulting protests that took place.
Each municipality is required to submit a plan outlining the police department’s strategies for dealing with such issues as use of force policies; procedural justice; racial bias; bias awareness training; de-escalation training and practices; community-based outreach and conflict resolution. The resulting plan was to be submitted to New York State by April 1, 2021. The full text of EO 203 can be found at: https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/no-203-new-york-state-police-reform-and-reinvention-collaborative.
In accordance with EO 203, Town of Warwick Supervisor Michael Sweeton and Warwick Police Chief Thomas McGovern convened a community panel, stakeholders in the community including municipal officials, business and religious leaders, representatives from the migrant community, school district, and former police officers. Two public meetings were held at which current policies and procedures were discussed as well as the issues brought forth in EO 203.
Following the two panel discussions, Sweeton and McGovern created a document entitled Town of Warwick Police Reform & Reinvention Collaborative Plan that was then available for review on the Town website. The Board accepted written commentary on the plan and on Tues., Mar. 9, a public meeting was held, online via Zoom, to allow further commentary on the draft document. Nearly all who spoke during that meeting felt that the draft document did not go far enough to address issues that were brought up during the panel discussions, including relationships with the Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) community.
Speakers at the Mar. 9 meeting called for such efforts as an annual public survey regarding community relations with the Warwick Police Department (WPD); the creation of a civilian complaint review board; better mental health resources; increased minimum training in racial bias and use of force; and better recruitment of people of color to the police department.
On Thurs., Mar. 25, during a regular Town Board meeting, prior to voting on whether to approve the draft plan, the public was once again invited to speak regarding the draft plan.
Community Members Comment on Collaborative Plan
In contrast to the public commentary on Mar. 9, several residents spoke at the Town Board meeting in support of the draft document and the police department.
Longtime Warwick resident Vince Copello commended the board and panel on a great job.
“For the record, I have been a citizen of Warwick for almost 40 years and in all the years I’ve been here, from what I’ve read in the papers and what I’ve heard, our police department has been doing a great job. This will mean they do an even better job,” Copello stated.
Heidi Carnavali, a retired NYPD Detective of over 25 years who currently lives in Warwick, also praised the document and her concern about “anti-police rhetoric” and the defunding of police departments.
“Thank you very much for doing a great job. What is happening with police nationwide is absolutely disgraceful. Until you walk a day in our shoes you will never understand,” Carnevali said.
Sweeton commented that, during the panel meetings, defunding the police department was never discussed.
“We’re cognizant of taxpayers and the cost of everything, but the police department does a tremendous job with the assets and resources we’re able to fund, so there was never that question by any side in this discussion, at least in Warwick…maybe other places, but not here,” Sweeton stated.
Following the public commentary, the Town Board adopted the Town of Warwick Police Reform & Reinvention Collaborative Plan for submission to New York State by April 1.
Police Report
Councilman Floyd DeAngelo reported that the Warwick police department handled a total of 1,072 calls throughout the Town in the month of February. Councilman DeAngelo also commended Warwick police Sergeant Alton Morley on behalf of the entire Town Board, for his timely response and handling of a recent occurrence involving a mental health situation.
“We would like to thank you [Morley] for that and wish you well, it was a very serious situation,” stated DeAngelo.
Covid-19 Vaccination Distribution
Supervisor Sweeton reported that more vaccines are becoming available in Orange County and urges everyone to register with the County through their website at: www.vaccination.orangecounty.gov. He urged anyone, especially senior citizens, who is experiencing difficulties getting a vaccine to call Town Hall at 986-1124 for assistance in getting connected to the County.
Next Board Meeting
The next meeting of the Warwick Town Board will be held on Thurs., Apr. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at Warwick Town Hall, 132 Kings Hwy., in Warwick. A link to join the meeting via Zoom will be posted on the website at: www.townofwarwick.org.
Shown in the photo is a Town of Warwick Police Officer helping a stranded motorists on Rte. 17A in Warwick.
