Long Beach Police Department releases police reform plan

Following Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s executive order last June, the Long Beach Police Department this week released a draft of its police reform plan, which aims to strengthen ties between the community and the department.

Cuomo’s New York State Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative Executive Order 203 was enacted shortly after the death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer, Derek Chauvin, last May.

To maintain the city’s eligibility for future state funding, the City Council must approve the plan before April 1. The 141-page document, which is expected to be approved this week, touches on topics such as use-of-force policies, procedural justice, systemic racial bias and racial justice in policing.

“This plan will enable the Long Beach Police Department to continue its robust community-oriented policing strategies while working towards further reducing racial disparities in policing,” the report states. “The City of Long Beach is also in the process of overhauling the Department’s webpage to increase overall transparency and enhance the public’s ability to know and understand the actions and efforts of the police department in an up to date fashion.”

In the document, the LBPD acknowledges the importance of working with community stakeholders to bring new ideas to the community. Officials begin the reform plan by discussing recruiting practices and training.

Before joining the LBPD, recruits attend the Nassau County Police Academy, where, according to the report, they receive extensive training in hate crimes, implicit bias and de-escalation, among other subjects. The Nassau County Police Department is the main source of training for LBPD members, who are taught to remain calm and stay in control of situations.

LBPD officials have said they are ahead of the curve in de-escalation practices, and will continue to enhance the department’s training.

The NCPD released its own police reform last month.

According to Long Beach’s plan, the county Police Academy last June added an additional eight hours of training that focuses on anti-bias, morality, ethical awareness and cultural diversity. LBPD officials said they were making it a priority to enhance their recruitment efforts and expand recruiting in schools, houses of worship and other public institutions.

The LBPD will also use the TrainCaster platform, an online training system, to keep officers up to date on police reforms.

Last year, the department conducted a comprehensive review of its use-of-force policies and procedures, and subsequently issued a new policy, declaring that chokeholds are not authorized, except in situations where deadly physical force is being used on an officer. In the interest of transparency, department officials have said they would track incidents in which officers have to use deadly force, and would publish the number of those incidents on the LBPD website.

“It is a paramount objective that all members of the Long Beach Police Department demonstrate reverence for the sanctity of human life,” the report states. “In all cases, the primary duty of all Members of the Department is to protect human life and provide for their safety and the safety of the community. Force is authorized when reasonably believed to be necessary: to effect a lawful arrest or detention; to prevent the escape of a person from custody, or in defense of one’s self or another.”

The plan also touches on the possibility of purchasing body cameras for officers. It states, however, that the cost of buying and maintaining the cameras might be too high for the department. Officials are currently considering the matter.

The LBPD makes its stance clear on racial profiling. Officials state the department does not condone any type of racial profiling, and add that bias-based stops, searches and arrests are strictly prohibited.

“Treating people with respect and dignity will ensure that the LBPD is on the path of ever increasing our overall effectiveness,” the report states. “All individuals are sensitive to whether they are treated with dignity and politeness and whether their civil rights are being respected.”

LBPD officials and community stakeholders acknowledged that the department must build ties with young adults in the community. They are seeking to create a Commissioner’s Young Adult Council, which would include six people ages 16 to 23. They would be tasked with monitoring and discussing community engagement, community service, better police and community relationships, and other programs.

The department will also look to address at-risk youth in the community by starting a Youth Police Initiative, to teach young adults the skills they need to resolve conflicts with authority figures. It will also encourage officers to start conversations with the community’s youth.

“By creating an open dialogue between the LBPD and the youth in our communities, the YPI will ultimately break down existing barriers, stereotypes and biases,” the report states. “Through honest communication and positive experiences fostered by the YPI, the LBPD strengthens police youth relations in lasting ways.”

To view the full report, go to www.longbeachny.gov.