Public Hearing Date On Police Reform Report To Be Set Friday

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — As the clock ticks toward an April 1 deadline for submitting a plan for police reform, Southampton town officials are convening a special town board meeting Friday at 10 a.m. to set a public hearing on its draft report.

The draft was created after two public listening sessions with the town's community law enforcement review committee, co-chaired by Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman and Southampton Town Police Chief Steven Skrynecki.

The CLERC, comprised of more than 24 community members, clergy, civic groups, young people, law enforcement representatives, and elected officials, was created by the Southampton town board last fall after Cuomo, following protests and distrust sparked by George Floyd's death, directed police departments statewide to work with community stakeholders to review practices and policies.

Cuomo has said all police departments must work to improve community relations and added that the initiative is critical moving forward. Each municipality must come up with a plan that works for that local area, he said, and those that don't complete the task by April 1 won't be eligible for funding in the new state budget.

The town board is slated to schedule at least one public hearing on the draft report before the April 1 deadline.

To watch the special meeting via Zoom Friday, click here.