Garden City Releases Report On Proposed Policing Changes

GARDEN CITY, NY — The Village of Garden City released a report today outlining the proposed changes the village's police department will make to comply with orders from the state. Now, the department is asking the public to review and comment on its proposals.

Last year, in the wake of protests over the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed Executive Order 203, which said that police departments around the state had to hold meetings to reform the way policing is handled, with the goal of eliminating racial bias in policing.

The Garden City Police Department held meetings with community stakeholders, and Commissioner Kenneth Jackson also participated in the Nassau County Police Department's efforts.

Most of the policies that the Garden City Police Department implements will be similar to those of the Nassau County Police Department, the report says. "The police departments in Nassau County are integrated due to the fact that village officers are recruited and trained by NCPD and each agency utilizes NCPD’s special services," the report reads.

Many of the changes the GCPD proposes revolve around increased training for officers, both during their time at the police academy and after being hired. The enhanced training will cover things like interactions with the public, use of force, racial bias and more.

The biggest change the Garden City Police Department is making is to issue more appearance tickets for minor crimes, rather than arresting suspects. The department says the measure would reduce the amount of time people are in custody. It would also eliminate the need to collect bail, as per the bail reform the state passed last year.

One thing advocates of change in policing often want is body cameras for officers. The GCPD does not plan to implement its own body camera program soon. However, the report says that the department will watch how the NCPD's test of body cameras goes, and then make decisions about adopting them for Garden City.

You can read the full list of proposals by the Garden City Police Department by clicking here. Residents are asked to submit any comments or suggestions they have by emailing policereform@gardencityny.net, or by sending a letter to Police Reform, 351 Stewart Ave., Garden City, NY 11530.