SPD: Reckoning & Reform | Syracuse Police: Reckoning and Reform One Hour Special
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> BREAKING NEWS THIS MORNING FR SHOOTING LAST NIGHT.
>> OFFICERS SAY JAMES SPRINGER,.
>> ONE HOMICIDE IS TOO MANY IN .
I HIT THE TIPPING POINT AT NUMB.
AND SO THIS IS YET ANOTHER EXAM.
>> PEOPLE ARE HURTING.
PEOPLE ARE AFRAID FOR THEMSELVE.
WE ARE A COMMUNITY THAT RISES T. AND THE MAYOR AND I AND THE CHI.
OUR HEARTS BLEED FOR THESE FAMI.
>> 12-YEAR-OLD HIT BY A STRAY B.
MORE AND MORE CHILDREN GETTING .
WHAT'S THE ANSWER?
>> WHY HE DOING ALL THAT?
WHY HE DOING ALL THAT.
HE NOT RESISTING OR NOTHING.
>> I'M GLAD TO BE A POLICE OFFI.
I THOUGHT I COULD HELP MORE.
>> NOT LIKE POLICE BACK IN THE .
WHERE YOU SEE THE POLICE HELPIN.
THEY DON'T DO THAT NO MORE.
IT'S ALL PATROL.
ALL LOOKING TO SEE WHAT SOMEBOD.
IT'S NOT ABOUT HELPING.
NOW IN LOOKING OUT A WINDOW AT .
IT WAS DISHEARTENING TO SEE.
IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT WE USE TH.
>> TODAY, TO HAVE A POLICE OFFIT THAT EVERYONE ELSE DOES, THAT'SK TO A GROUP OF YOUNG PEOPLE AND .
>> 1... >> YOU DON'T DESERVE TO BE HERE!
>> POLICE REFORM IS NOT A MOMEN.
... FOR JUSTICE... >> ON OUR WORST DAY, THERE IS A.
>> ONE HOMICIDE IS TOO MANY IN .
>> PEOPLE ARE RUNNING WHEN THEY.
>> THERE IS A NEW DAY THAT'S CO. >> DETECTIVE JAMES SPRINGER, II.
HE DIED FROM HIS INJURIES A SHO.
>> I ASKED EVERYONE TO TAKE A DE ARE GOING TO DO.
>> THIS IS YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE .
ONE ADDITIONAL HOMICIDE IS ONE .
SO I HIT THE TIPPING POINT A LO.
>> WALSH ALSO ANNOUNCED HE IS H. >> WE ARE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE WS CRITICAL.
>> THE CANDIDATES LIST IS NOW D. INCLUDING A FAMILIAR FACE, FIRS.
HE IS A 33-YEAR VETERAN WITH S&, THE CHIEF OF THE DURANGO COLORAN THE LIST AS WELL, KENTON BUCKNE.
HE HAS BEEN IN CHARGE OF THE LI.
SYRACUSE DEPUTY MAYOR SHARON OW.
>> SO WHEN I SET TOUT MAKE A DED ONE SINGULAR GOAL, WHICH WAS TO.
I HAD THE BENEFIT OF HAVING A SI CHOSE TO CAST AS WIDE A NET AS POSSIBLE TO MAKE SURE I ANSWERED THE BASIC QUESTION, WHO IS THE BEST PERSON TO FILL THAT JOB.
ULTIMATELY I DETERMINED IT WAS KEN BUCKNER.
I'M VERY THANKFUL FOR THE CITY OF SYRACUSE WHO SELECTED ME.
[ APPLAUSE ] >> LAST MONTH AT A SYRACUSE MORNING ROUNDTABLE MEETING FOCUSING ON REORGANIZING THE DEPARTMENT, POLICE CHIEF KENTON BUCKNER MENTIONED THERE ARE BAD OFFICERS IN THE DEPARTMENT.
>> MY JOB IS TO MAKE SURE I PROTECT THE 90, 95% GOOD OFFICERS FROM THE APPLES THAT SHOULD NOT BE IN THAT BARREL AND THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE THAT ARE ROTTEN TO THE CORE THAT WE ARE GOING TO SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT?
YOU CAN'T WEAR OUR UNIFORM AND BADGE ANYMORE.
>> A BIG CROWD LINING THE STREETS TO WATCH THE PARADE BUT WALKING ALONG THE GREEN PAINTED ROAD, A MUCH SMALLER GROUP REPRESENTING SYRACUSE POLICE.
ONLY 20 OFFICERS MARCHED THIS YEAR, A MUCH DIFFERENT NUMBER FROM THE CLOSE TO 100 IN THE PAST.
AACHIEVE KENTON BUCKNER BLAMES THE LACK OF INTEREST ON INTERNAL ISSUES AND SAID IT DIDN'T COME AS A SURPRISE.
THERE HAS BEEN A LACK OF SUPPORT FOR THE NEW CHIEF BY SOME OFFICERS EXPRESS THEY FEEL DISRESPECTED BY HIM.
>> WE ARE GAINING INSIGHT ABOUT CHIEF KENTON BUCKNER'S MANAGEMENT STYLE AND WHAT MIGHT BE GOING ON BEHIND CLOSED DOORS LOOKING AT HIS HISTORY AS CHIEF IN LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS.
>> HE ADMITTED MANY TIMES THAT HE SAID THINGS THAT GOT UNDER PEOPLE'S SKIN.
>> I AM KENTON BUCKNER, THE CHIEF OF POLICE FOR THE CITY OF SYRACUSE.
>> THE GAME WITH COLGATE, CAMPUS FESTIVITIES SWEEPS TO A HIGH POINT WITH TRADITIONAL MERRY MAKING.
WHAT COULD BE MORE IMPORTANT THAN TO PROMENADE TO THE BIG GAME, A LIVELY GIRL ON YOUR ARM?
>> IN THE 50s, THERE WASN'T THE IDEA THAT WE HAD A CRISIS IN GROWTH.
I MEAN WE WERE GROWING LIKE CRAZY.
>> SYRACUSE HAS DONE A LOT OF GROWING SINCE IT WAS SETTLED BACK IN 1794.
>> THE POPULATION WAS 220,000.
THE POPULATION PROJECTIONS FOR THE CITY OF SYRACUSE WERE 300,000 BY THE TURN OF THE CENTURY.
WE WEREN'T THINKING THAT THIS WAS A CRISIS WHERE WE HAD TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT OUR ECONOMIC DECLINE.
WE WERE DEALING WITH ECONOMIC GROWTH.
>> IT WAS BUSTLING.
IT WAS WONDERFUL AND WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, WE HAD TWO BOWLING ALLEYS, WE HAD A CHOCOLATE HOUSE THAT MADE CHOCOLATE CANDY.
IT WAS JUST A THRIVING, BUSTLING COMMUNITY.
>> HISTORICALLY WE HAVE BEEN ONE OF THE ABOLITIONIST CITIES THAT HELPED FREE SLAVES DURING THAT TIME AND WE WOULD OFTEN SEND THEM OFF TO CANADA.
SO THAT ALERTED SOUTHERN BLACKS THAT SYRACUSE WAS A SAFE PLACE TO COME.
>> I GREW UP IN THE 15th WARD.
GROWING UP THERE WAS SUCH A VIBRANT COMMUNITY.
THERE IS A GREAT HISTORY OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND BUSINESSES THAT WE EXPERIENCED THAT I VISIONED WHEN I WAS YOUNGER.
>> 81 WAS BUILT WITHOUT A REFERENCE TO THE MIGRATION THAT TOOK PLACE IN THE 50s AND 60s POSTWAR MIGRATION WHEN MANY, MANY AFRICAN-AMERICANS MOVED TO THE NORTH SEEKING THE JOB OPPORTUNITIES THAT EXISTED IN THE NORTH.
INTERSTATE 81 WAS BUILT TO CONNECT A PIPELINE BETWEEN THE NORTH AND THE SOUTH, MAINLY TRUCK TRAFFIC, ECONOMIC GROWTH FOR THE NATION.
AT THE TIME WE NEEDED THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND THE ECONOMIC GROWTH.
>> THESE NEW HIGHWAYS WILL HAVE A FAR REACHING ECONOMIC IMPACT ON THE ENTIRE NATION.
THEY PROVIDE A HEAVY DUTY LINK BETWEEN ALL PARTS OF PRODUCTIVE AMERICANS.
>> IT WAS THE PERFECT STORM.
YOU HAD HOUSING THAT DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE FEDERAL HOUSING ACT.
YOU HAD A HIGHWAY, WHICH WAS GOING TO COME THROUGH THE CITY TO MAKE THINGS MORE DIFFICULT IT WAS THE ONLY AREA WHERE THE AFRICAN-AMERICANS AND THOSE OF THE JEWISH FAITH HAD AN ABILITY TO LIVE.
>> IT DESTROYED AND DESTRUCTED AND TOOK AWAY A LOT OF THE SMALL BLACK BUSINESSES THAT WERE THRIVING IN THE 15th WARD.
>> THE CITY USED TO BE THE CENTER OF ALL ECONOMIC ACTIVITY AND NOW ALL OF IT, THE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY HAS MOVED TO THE AREAS OUTSIDE OF THE CITY AND WE STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM OF DISINVESTMENT IN NEIGHBORHOODS.
>> UNEMPLOYMENT IS REALLY THE KEY WHEN IT COMES TO POVERTY.
>> IT BECAME CLEAR THAT BEST WAY TO STAY COMPETITIVE AND PROTECT THE BUSINESS FOR LONG-TERM IS TO MOVE PRODUCTION TO MONTEREY, MEXICO.
>> THE ECONOMIC DIVIDE HAPPENED WHEN THOSE COMPANIES LEFT AND WHEN THEY WENT OVERSEAS THAT'S WHERE WE STARTED TO SEE THE UNEMPLOYMENT.
THAT'S WHERE A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS THAT NORMALLY WOULD TRANSITION INTO THOSE JOBS AND BE PART OF THAT MIDDLE-CLASS, STARTED TO CHANGE.
>> I THINK IF YOU LOOK AT THE AMERICAN CITIES ACROSS THE BOARD, THE CHALLENGES THAT WE FACE HERE ARE THE SAME AS THOSE CHALLENGES THAT ARE FACED WITH REGARD TO POLICE REFORM AND ALL OF THE OTHER CITIES.
AND THAT INCLUDES SUN BELT AS WELL AS RUST BELT.
WE'VE LOST THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF JOBS IN ALL OF THESE CITIES THAT WERE PROVIDING A DIVERSE ECONOMIC BASE.
THAT HAS NECESSITIED A CHANGE, I THINK, IN THE WAY THAT POLICING IS LOOKED AT.
>> HE HAD DONE THE JOB BEFORE.
HE HAD SERVED AS CHIEF AND P I FELT LIKE IT HELPED IN THIS CASE, NOT ONLY THAT HE HAD BEEN CHIEF BUT HE HAD BEEN CHIEF IN A NEW COMMUNITY.
HE STARTED IN LOUISVILLE.
THEN HE WENT TO LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS, BRAND NEW COMMUNITY, SERVED AS CHIEF AND LEARNED FROM THAT.
SO IT WAS A COMBINATION OF FACTORS.
IT WAS OUR INTERPERSONAL DYNAMICS, HIS EXPERIENCE AND ABILITY TO LOOK AT THIS COMMUNITY AND THIS DEPARTMENT WITH A FRESH SET OF EYES.
>> I GREW UP IN WESTERN PART OF KENTUCKY IN A CITY CALLED HOPKINSVILLE, KENTUCKY.
IT'S NEAR THE MILITARY BASE CALLED FORT CAMPBELL.
FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE FAMILIAR WITH IT, IT'S ALSO NEAR THE TENNESSEE BORDER.
I AM THE PRODUCT OF A SINGLE PARENT.
MY MOTHER AND MY SISTER AND I WERE PRETTY MUCH MY IMMEDIATE FAMILY THERE, ALSO HAD FIVE AUNTS THAT MY MOM'S SISTERS THAT WERE VERY, VERY CLOSE, THAT SERVED AS THAT VILLAGE FOR MY COUSINS AND I GROWING UP.
I DIDN'T HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH MY FATHER.
BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I KNEW ABOUT HIM WAS THAT HE WAS AN M.P.
IN THE MILITARY AND ALSO A POLICE OFFICER WHEN HE GOT OUT OF THE MILITARY FOR A SHORT TIME.
SO MANY PEOPLE ASK ME WHY DID I GET INTO LAW ENFORCEMENT?
WELL IT WAS ACTUALLY ME TRYING TO CONNECT WITH SOMEONE THAT I DIDN'T KNOW AND I BECAME INSPIRED BY WHAT THEY DID.
SO THAT BECAME MY INSPIRATION AT AS A VERY YOUNG MAN.
>> CHIEF BUCKNER INHERITED A NUMBER OF ISSUES, THINGS THAT HAD BEEN MISMANAGED FOR EIGHT YEARS.
MORALE BECAUSE HE WAS OUTSIDE THE DEPARTMENT, POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS.
IT'S ALWAYS AN ISSUE.
THE BIGGEST PROBLEM HE INHERITED WAS OVERTIME.
THESE WERE THINGS THAT WERE DESIGNED TO ENHANCE ONE'S PENSION.
LET'S SAY SOMEBODY SERVES IN THE MILITARY AT 18.
DOES THEIR THREE, FOUR, FIVE-YEAR STINT, COMES BACK, BECOMES A POLICE OFFICER, GOES THROUGH THE ACADEMY.
STARTS AT 25.
DOES THEIR 20.
RETIRES AT 45 AND THEIR PENSION MIGHT BE SIX FIGURES.
THAT'S UNSUSTAINABLE IN ANY STATE.
AND I DON'T BEGRUDGE ANYONE A PENSION.
I'M COLLECTING A PENSION, BUT IF THAT 45-YEAR-OLD MALE LIVES TO 85, THAT'S $4 MILLION.
>> IT'S AN INTERNAL STRUGGLE THRUST INTO A VERY PUBLIC SPOTLIGHT.
MEMBERS OF THE SYRACUSE POLICE DEPARTMENT FIND THEMSELVES AT ODDS WITH THEIR CHIEF ODDS ON DISPLAY AT THE ST. PATRICK'S PARADE WHEN ONLY A HAND FULL OF POLICE OFFICERS MARCHED.
DOZENS OF OTHERS BOYCOTTED.
>> WHEN THIS STARTED WITH PARADE AND EVERYTHING, MY INTENTION WAS TO GET HIS ATTENTION THAT THE RANK AND FILE AND MAKE SURE HE AS WEAR OF IT AND NOT GET INTO SPECIFICS.
WE ARE BANKING ON HE IS NOT GOING TO BE ELIGIBLE TO BE THE CHIEF OF POLICE HE HAS 12 MONTHS TO BE CERTIFIED THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES TO COMPLETE I THINK IT'S 460 OR 480 HOURS OF CLASSROOM WORK PHYSICAL TRAINING, PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT.
WE DON'T THINK HE WILL BE CAPABLE OF GETTING THIS DONE TO BE QUALIFIED COME DECEMBER.
>> WHEN THE POLICE UNION ENDORSED YOU IN THE LAST ELECTION FOR DISTRICT ATTORNEY, WHAT DID THEY ASK YOU REGARDING YOUR SUPPORT OF KEN BUCKNER?
>> THIS DID NOT COME TO ME DIRECTLY, IT WAS SIR CUE CIRCUITOUSLY.
HE THEY SAID DON'T BE SO SUPPORTIVE OF KEN BUCKNER.
IT DID NOT COME TO ME DIRECTLY AND DID NOT INVOLVE JEFF PEED MOPT.
I LAUGHED AT THAT AND SAID I'M SORRY, IF THAT'S THE CRITERIA, THEN I GUESS I'M NOT GOING TO GET THE ENDORSEMENT BECAUSE I THINK BUCKNER IS A HOME RUN.
>> JUST WEAVING BACK AND FORTH AND THEN FROM HERE TO HERE, BEFORE WE GET THE FIRST 180, IT'S HARD ACCELERATION BECAUSE THIS IS THE FIRST BREAKING POINT.
YOU DON'T GET CAR SICK, DO YOU?
>> NO.
>> SOME PEOPLE DO.
>> NEW AT 11:00, WE ARE HEARING FROM SYRACUSE'S CHIEF OF POLICE, KENTON BUCKNER AFTER THE STATE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICE IS GRANTED BUCKNER A YEAR'S EXTENSION TO COMPLETE HIS NEW YORK STATE CERTIFICATION.
COMPLETING HOURS OF CLASSROOM TRAINING AND IMPROVING HIS PHYSICAL FITNESS.
>> 1:44.
CLEAN.
THAT'S ALL SHE WROTE.
>> GUYS MY SIZE OR IF IT IS A BIGGER SIZE, THEY STRUGGLE BECAUSE OF SIZE OF THE VEHICLE AND THEM BEING TOO MUCH... >> MAYBE BACK YEARS AGO WHEN WE USED TO RELY ON LOOKING BACKWARD.
STAY STRAIGHT A LITTLE LONGER.
YOU GOT THE ONE IN THE BACK BUT THAT'S GOOD.
1:48.
YOU NAILED IT.
>> LET ME GET OUT OF Y'ALL'S WAY.
>> GOOD JOB, MAN.
>> APPRECIATE IT.
>> BASE IN YOUR VOICE, YOU KNOW WHO BARRY WHITE IS?
YOU GOT TO RESEARCH THAT TONIGHT DIG DEEP.
LET'S FIND IT.
LET'S GO.
GET EMUP.
>> CLASS ATTENTION.
>> SIT DOWN.
>> YES, SIR!
>> GET 'EM UP.
>> SIT DOWN!
>> GET 'EM UP!
>> ATTENTION!
>> SIT DOWN!
>> YES, SIR!
DON'T DISAPPOINT ME.
>> YES, SIR.
>> YES, SIR!
>> LET'S GO!
>> ATTENTION!
>> WHEN I WAS JUST GETTING OUT OF COLLEGE, I HAD A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE BECAME AN OFFICER WITH THE CAMILLUS P.D.
HE SAID COME ON A RIDE ALONG.
Y IT'S A BLAST.
YOU ARE GOING TO LOVE THIS.
HE KNEW MY PERSON AL-- HE KNEW MY PERSONALITY.
THE EXPERIENCES YOU GET RIDING AROUND IN A POLICE CAR, NOT A LOT OF ACTION IN THE TOWN OF CAMILLUS BUT FOR REGULAR FOLKS GETTING CALLS TO ACCIDENTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, IT DIDN'T TAKE LONG FOR ME TO GET HOOKED.
DISWR SO WHAT IS THE TERM POLICE REFORM MEAN TO YOU?
>> NOT MUCH.
REFORM IS A WORD THAT HAS A STIGMA TO IT LIKE EVERYTHING WE ARE DOING IS WRONG.
WE HAVE TO CHANGE ALL THIS STUFF AND CHANGE BEHAVIORS AND WE HAVE TO DO ALL THESE THINGS.
CONSTANT IMPROVEMENT.
I BELIEVE IN AGGREGATE MARGINAL GAINS WHICH IS A LITTLE BIT EVERY DAY OVER A LONG TIME.
IT'S GOING TO GET YOU WHERE YOU NEED TO BE.
>> I THINK THAT THE ENTIRE KUN FROMY NEEDS POLICE REFORM.
ANY TIME YOU HAVE A SYSTEM IN PLACE THAT DOES NOT EVOLVE WITH TIME, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE IS THAT PEOPLE ARE NOT UNINTENTIONALLY BEING HARMED BY THAT SYSTEM, BOTH THROUGH YOUR PRACTICES, POLICIES.
ALSO WITH OUR INTENTIONS.
>> ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS WHY I APPLIED TO BE A SYRACUSE POLICE OFFICER IS DUE TO THE WHOLE FERGUSON INCIDENT.
THAT WAS PRETTY BIG.
I SAW A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO WERE SAYING THEY DON'T LIKE THE POLICE.
THEY DON'T LIKE THE WAY THEY WERE HANDLING CERTAIN SITUATIONS.
I JUST THOUGHT LIKE, WOW, LIKE WHAT CAN I DO TO KIND OF CHANGE THE PERSPECTIVE OR LIKE CHANGE THE WHOLE GENERAL OUTLOOK.
SO I JOINED.
>> I APPLIED TO BE A POLICE OFFICER REALLY JUST BECAUSE I THOUGHT I COULD DO MORE.
BEING A POLICE OFFICER I COULD BE PROACTIVE AND BEFORE SOMETHING BAD HAPPENS, MAYBE I COULD MAKE AN IMPACT AND HELP.
AND REALLY, BECOMING A FAMILY MAN, I JUST WANT MY KIDS AND MY WIFE TO BE SAFE.
AND EVERYBODY ELSE.
BUT THAT REALLY INFLUENCED ME GREATLY.
>> I WANT THE COMMUNITY TO FEEL SAFE.
I WANT THEM TO FEEL THAT YES, OFFICER PHILLIPS IS HERE.
SHE CARES ABOUT US.
SHE LISTENS.
ALL THESE PEOPLE JUST WANT TO BE HEARD.
I WANT THEM TO THOUGH THAT HEY, I'M COMFORTABLE.
SHE IS GOING TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT.
I'M HOPING WHEN THEY KNOW I'M THERE THAT SOMETHING IS GOING TO GET DONE.
>> WHEN I CAME ON AND THE FIELD TRAINING OFFICER TOLD TO YOU DO SOMETHING, YOU JUST DID IT AND YOU DID IT WITHOUT ASKING QUESTIONS.
MILLENNIALS WANT TO KNOW WHY.
AND WHEN THEY ASK YOU WHY, IT'S NOT TO BE DISRESPECTFUL.
THEY NEED TO UNDERSTAND HOW SOMETHING WORKS, WHY WE ARE DOING IT THAT WAY.
AND THEIR MINDS WANT TO TRY TO SEE IF WE CAN DO IT IN A MORE EFFICIENT WAY OR A DIFFERENT WAY.
>> WE ARE ON THE SAME TEAM.
WE ARE NOT OUT TO GET YOU.
WE ARE NOT OUT TO HURT YOU OR TO TAKE YOU AWAY FROM ANYONE.
WE WANT THE STREETS SAFE.
>> THE COMMUNITY SAFE AND WE ARE GOING TO GO AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN SOMEONE'S LIFE AT SOME POINT SOME WAY, SOMEHOW.
>> I DIVIDED THE CITY INTO THREE DIVISIONS BEING THE NORTH, SOUTHWEST AND SOUTHEAST.
THE PURPOSE OF THAT IS FOR BOTH COMMUNITY AND EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TO KNOW EACH OTHER INTIMATELY.
SO THAT WHEN YOU HAVE A PROBLEM IN THE STRATHMORE NEIGHBORHOOD, YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHO YOUR CAPTAIN, WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR AREA.
YOU KNOW THE OFFICERS RIDING DURING THE DAY AND THE OTHER TWO SHIFTS.
AND THAT KEEPS YOU AT A LEVEL TO WHERE MOST OF THOSE PROBLEMS SHOULD BE DECENTRALIZED AND DEALT WITH AT MUCH LOWER LEVELS BEFORE THEY MAKE IT TO WHERE IT'S, I GUESS, A SERIOUS ISSUE BECAUSE YOU HAVE THAT RELATIONSHIP WITH SOMEONE THAT YOU CAN CALL ON THE EXECUTIVE TEAM DAY TO DAY.
>> I THINK CHIEF BUCKNER IS EARNING HIS STRIPES.
WHEN HE ORIGINALLY THREW THE IDEA OUT, WE WERE KIND OF LOOPED INTO AN AREA OF THE CITY THAT IS INHERENTLY DANGEROUS AND CRIMINALLY ACTIVE AND THAT'S PART OF THE SOUTHWEST QUADRANT WHICH WE HAVE BEEN SOMEWHAT PROTECTED FROM IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD.
THERE IS NO VIOLENT CRIMES UP HERE.
WE DON'T SEE RAPE OR, YOU KNOW, PHYSICAL ASSAULTS.
IT'S MAINLY PROPERTY.
AND THE CHIEF TOLD ME PLAINLY, WHEN THIEVES ARE LOOKING FOR PROPERTY, THEY GO WHERE THE PROPERTY IS.
I UNDERSTOOD THAT.
BUT IT'S WORKED OUT AND I UNDERSTAND HIS GOALS.
HIS GOALS ARE TO PREVENT CRIME.
SO WE ARE WITH HIM.
>> I DON'T THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA.
THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE FOR THE BETTER IN THIS DECISION HE HAS MADE AS FAR AS I CAN SEE BECAUSE THE CAPTAIN WHO IS IN CHARGE OF THIS SECTION, HE IS STRETCHED TOO THIN.
THE NORTH SIDE INCLUDES MORE NEIGHBORHOODS REALLY THAN ANY OTHER PART OF THE CITY.
I THINK THAT HAS HAD A DRASTIC EFFECT ON THE NUMBERS OF POLICE OFFICERS THAT CAN CONTROL OUR STREETS AND JUST GENERALLY BE VISIBLE TO THE PEOPLE ON THE NORTH SIDE.
>> LOVELY YOUNG LADY.
SHE CAN'T COME OUT THE DOOR.
>> ROBBERS?
... DRIVE BY SHOOTING.
MY BIRTHDAY LAST YEAR.
>> SO OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE POLICE IS VERY GOOD.
WE HAVE TO CALL THEM OCCASIONALLY.
I HAVEN'T HAD TO CALL THEM AS A RESIDENT, JUST AS A BUSINESS OWNER.
THE EXPERIENCE HAS ALWAYS BEEN POSITIVE AND VERY HELPFUL.
SO I'VE NOTICED THAT SINCE BUCKNER HAS BECOME CHIEF, THE POLICE RESPONSE IS MUCH MORE SOLUTION ORIENTED.
THEY REALLY RESPOND TO THE PROBLEMS PRESENTED.
THEY TAKE INTO ACCOUNT MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUES.
AND I THINK THEY'RE REALLY TRYING TO ADDRESS THE SITUATION AS A WHOLE.
>> SYRACUSE POLICE OFFICERS ARE BEING DISCIPLINED FOR NOT MEETING THE DEPARTMENT'S EXPECTATIONS FOR BEHAVIOR AND LANGUAGE DURING AN ARREST ON THE CITY'S WEST SIDE MAY 31.
>> HE'S TELLING THE TRUTH MAN, NOTHING ON YOU.
>> NOTHING ON... >> WHY ARE YOU DOING ALL THAT J HE DOING ALL THAT?
WHY HE DOING ALL THAT.
HE NOT RESISTING OR NOTHING.
WHY HE DOING ALL THAT.
WHY HE DOING ALL THAT?
YO', WHY YOU PUNCHING MY MAN: >> LOOK, LOOK, THEY BUGGING FOR NOTHING.
>> SO AFTER THE INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED ON GRACE STREET, WE FELT THE NEED TO HAVE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE MAYOR'S OFFICE RESPOND TO US AND IN QUITE A FEW WAYS.
ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS WAS WE ASKED THEM TO ADDRESS THE USE OF FORCE POLICY.
>> POLICE CHIEF BUCKNER, MAYOR WALSH WILL HOLD FOUR SEPARATE NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS DURING THE SECOND HALF OF THIS YEAR.
THEY'LL TALK ABOUT POLICE TRAINING, COMMUNITY POLICING, INTERNAL AFFAIRS.
THESE MEETINGS ALL COME AFTER THE POLICE DEPARTMENT RELEASED ITS NEW USE OF FORCE POLICY AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MONTH.
>> GOOD EVENING.
WE ARE GOING TO GET STARTED HERE IF EVERYONE CAN GET SETTLED IN.
IT'S BEEN A DIFFICULT MONTH FOR THE CITY OF SYRACUSE.
ACROSS THE BOARD.
AND WE ARE HERE TONIGHT HAVE A DIFFICULT CONVERSATION.
THE ISSUE OF COMMUNITY POLICE RELATIONS IS ONE...
THIS IS AN ISSUE IN THE COMMUNITY IS STRUGGLING WITH.
THE FIRST THING I WANT TO DO IS OFFER A SINCERE APOLOGY.
I'M RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PAST, THE PRESENT AND THE FUTURE OF THE SYRACUSE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND I TAKE OWNERSHIP FOR THAT.
WE WILL TAKE QUESTIONS AFTER WE ARE DONE WITH THE PRESENTATION.
YES MA'AM.
[ APPLAUSE ] (INAUDIBLE) (EVERYBODY SCREAMING).
>> THE USE OF FORCE POLICY, WE ASKED THEM TO FURTHER EXPLAIN TO US WHAT THE LANGUAGE INSIDE OF THE USE OF FORCE POLICY MEANT.
WHAT DID IT MEAN THAT AN OFFICER COULD ARREST AN INDIVIDUAL AND HIT THEM WITH A CLOSED FIST.
WE ALSO ASKED THEM TO SPEAK ABOUT THE CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT ONE HAZ WHEN THEY'RE PULLED OVER.
HOW IS IT THAT AN OFFICER CAN SPEAK TO YOU, WHAT CAN AN OFFICER SAY, WHAT CAN AN OFFICER DO FOR THEM TO RUN BACK THE FOOTAGE OF THE GRACE STREET INCIDENT AND FOR US TO FURTHER BE EXPLAINED PIECE BY PIECE WHAT HAPPENED, HOW IT HAPPENED AND WHY IT IS THAT IT IS BEING JUSTIFIED AS BEING CORRECT.
>> WE WERE FIRST ALERTED ABOUT THE GRACE STREET STOP THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA.
PART OF MY JOB IS TO MANAGE THE SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES, TO KEEP AN EYE ON THOSE.
AND WE STARTED TO SEE PEOPLE TACKING US IN THIS VIDEO.
MAINLY PUSHED BY NITCH JONES WHO WAS BASICALLY DOING MY JOB OF PUBLIC INFORMATION, BUT FOR THE COMMUNITY AND HE WAS REALLY ON THE SIDE OF SHAOLIN MOORE, HIS VOCAL PIECE AND WAS TAGGING CERTAIN PEOPLE AND REALLY TRYING TO PUSH IT.
IT WAS AN INTERESTINGS DYNAMIC THAT HE KIND OF BECAME MY COUNTERPART.
>> TWO SYRACUSE POLICE OFFICERS HAVE BEEN DISCIPLINED FOR THEIR DEMEANOR AND LANGUAGE DURING A MAY 31 ARREST.
USE OF FORCE IN THE ARREST WAS DEEMED APPROPRIATE.
>> BEING TOLD, YOU CAN PULL THEM OUT OF THE CAR.
YOU CAN BEAT THEM UP BUT YOU HAVE TO SAY PLEASE AND THANK YOU FIRST.
THAT'S WAS WE HEARD.
>> THE MANNER IN WHICH WE APPROACHED THESE INDIVIDUAL, THERE WAS PROBABLY TIME FOR US TO USE MAYBE A MORE CONSTRUCTIVE CONTACT WITH THE INDIVIDUAL, DESPITE HIS PASSIVE RESISTANCE.
AND WE FELT LIKE THAT THE OFFICERS HAD OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE IN THAT AREA.
>> THE OFFICER DEFENDS THE FORCE, CLAIMING MOORE REFUSED TO GET OUT OF THE SUV AFTER BEING ORDERED SEVERAL TIMES.
THE OFFICER NOTES HE HAD JUST COME FROM A POLICE DETAIL IN NEARBY SKIDDY PARK WHERE DRUGS AND AN ILLEGAL GUN WERE CONFISCATED.
>> WE DID FEEL LIKE THE FORCE WAS APPROPRIATE AND WITHIN OUR POLICY AND TRAINING, WE FEEL LIKE WE HAVE OPPORTUNITY FOR IMPROVEMENT WITH THE DEMEANOR.
>> THAT NIGHT WHEN I ARRIVED AT ST. LOUISY'S,-- ST. LUCE'S, I DID NOT FEEL SAFE.
I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.
I DID NOT KNOW HOW ANGRY THE OFFICERS WERE THAT WE WERE TRIGGERING.
WE DIDN'T REALLY TALK DURING THE EVENT AT ALL.
IT WAS JUST ME TRYING TO COUNTER ANY POINT THAT HE WOULD PUT OUT AND I WOULD WORK WITH MY TEAM AND TRY TO, YOU KNOW, PROVIDE WHAT WE FELT HOW THE INCIDENT WAS PORTRAYED WITH THE VIDEO.
>> YOU WANT TO STEP OUT FOR ME.
YOU CAN STEP ON OUT FOR ME, OKAY.
>> FOR WHAT?
>> PLAYING THE MUSIC-- IT'S A LOCAL... >> I'M NOT ARGUING WITH YOU.
>> YOU WANT TO GET OUT OR NOT, OKAY?
>> YOU ARE GIVING ME A TICKET FOR MY MUSIC, I DON'T HAVE TO GET OUT.
>> GOING THROUGH ALL THAT AND SUBSEQUENTLY AFTER, I THOUGHT TO MYSELF HOW IS IT POSSIBLE THAT I COULD SIT AND VIEW A VIDEO FROM MY EXPERIENCE AND SEE SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT, A TOTALLY JUSTIFIED USE OF FORCE, SOMEONE WHO WAS BREAKING THE LAW AND INTERACTION AND UNDERSTANDING THAT THAT IS JUST PART OF OUR JOB.
YOU KNOW, WE DEAL WITH SOME BAD PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY.
I THOUGHT HOW IS IT THAT HE CAN'T SEE THIS.
I WAS IGNORANT TO IT BECAUSE I GREW UP, YOU KNOW, OUT IN THE COUNTY.
I DIDN'T DEAL WITH SHOOTINGS AND VIOLENCE IN MY COMMUNITY SO I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND DISTRUST OF POLICE.
SO I REMEMBER WE WERE OUT AT ANOTHER COMMUNITY EVENT, A BACKPACK GIVEAWAY AND I SAID THAT'S NITCH JONES.
HE WAS FAME TO US ME.
I EXTENDED MY HAND OUT AND I SAID I JUST WANT TO INTRODUCE MYSELF TO YOU.
HE SAID I KNOW WHO YOU ARE.
>> UNIT 20 TO SERGEANT BLAKE HELPING OUT.
>> SERGEANT MALINOWSKI CAME AND GAVE ME HIS CARD AND SAID THIS IS YOUR PHONE NUMBER.
WHEN YOU ARE READY TO TALK, I'M READY TO TALK TO YOU.
I'M READY TO HEAR YOU AND I THINK YOU SHOULD HEAR ME.
I DECIDED THAT WEEK AT THE BACKPACK GIVEAWAY TO PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL SERGEANT MALINOWSKI AND I TOLD HIM IT WAS TIME FOR US TO CREATE SOME KIND OF DYNAMIC THAT SEEN WITH THE POLICE WALKING AMONGST OUR COMMUNITY.
>> PEEP CALL THE POLICE-- PEOPLE CALL THE POLICE WHEN THEY'RE AT THEIR WORST AND THEY HAVE NO ONE ELSE TO TURN TO.
THEY KNOW IF THEY CALL 911, THE POLICE ARE GOING TO SHOW UP.
BUT BUILDING THE RELATIONSHIP IS WHAT IS IMPORTANT AND PEOPLE WANT TO GET TO KNOW THE OFFICERS AND THAT'S ONE OF THE MOST THINGS I REALIZE THAT PEOPLE JUST WANT TO BE HEARD.
>> THE PROBLEMS THAT WE ARE FACING, WE HAVE ALREADY DONE ALL THE EASY STUFF.
WE HAVE BEEN TO THE MOON.
THE ONLY THING LEFT, HEAVY LIFTING.
RAISING A FAMILY, HEAVY LIFTING.
A CHILD GETTING EDUCATED COMING OUT OF POVERTY?
HEAVY LIFTING.
FINDING A JOB WHEN YOU HAVE A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND, HEAVY LIFTING.
PEOPLE RETURNING TO OUR SOCIETY WITH MENTAL ILLNESS OR SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUES, HEAVY LIFTING.
STOP COMING TO ME WITH THESE COOKIE CUTTER MICROWAVE EASTER BUNNY IDEAS AND LET'S COME UP WITH SUBSTANTIVE THINGS WHERE THE POLICE ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES FACING THE FIRING SQUAD.
>> WE WERE OUT IN THE COMMUNITY, ICE CREAM GIVEAWAYS, BACKPACK GIVEAWAYS, PASSING OUT HALLOWEEN CANDY TO THE KIDS IN THE COMMUNITY, WE WERE OUT IN THE COMMUNITY TRYING TO SHOW EVERYBODY THAT POLICE WERE HUMAN BEINGS.
I THOUGHT THROUGH THE CHIEF'S DIRECTION OF BRANDING, SHOW WAS WE ARE DOING, COMMUNITY RELATIONS, I THOUGHT WE WERE TURNING A CORNER AND I WAS SUPER PROUD OF WHAT HAD TAKEN PLACE.
COVID WAS A PERFECT STORM.
>> COVID IMPACTED OUR NATION IN MANY WAYS.
PUBLIC SAFETY WAS NOT AN EXCEPTION TO THAT.
BUT IF YOU HAVE A COMMUNITY THAT IS, YOU KNOW, THAT HAS A 30% POVERTY RATE THAT HAS THE CHALLENGES WITH CRIME UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES, AND THEN YOU PLACE A PANDEMIC ON TOP OF THAT, YOU ARE CERTAINLY GOING TO EXPECT THINGS TO BE EXAGGERATED THAT YOU WERE ALREADY HAVING A VERY DIFFICULT TIME DEALING WITH.
>> AND THEN WHEN WE HAD THE GEORGE FLOYD THING, EVEN THOUGH THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN HERE, THAT WAS REALLY REAL TO A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT MAY HAVE HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE POLICE AND THEN IT JUST REALLY CRUSHED US BECAUSE ALL THOSE RELATIONSHIPS WE TOOK TIME TO BUILD, WE COULDN'T FIX THEM EVEN IF WE WANTED TO BECAUSE WE COULDN'T BE AROUND THEM.
>> DAY MARKED THE 12th DAY OF NATIONWIDE PROTEST FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD, WHO WAS PINNED DOWN AND KILLED BY A WHITE POLICE OFFICER DEREK SHAWFS.
>> THIS IS A RALLY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MULTIPLE CAMPAIGN ORGANIZATIONS FIGHTING ON DIFFERENT FRONTS OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY.
WHILING WE ARE IN SOL SOLIDARITY WITH THE REST OF THE NATION AS WE PROTEST THE DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD AND BREONNA TAYLOR, WE ARE AWARE THAT THE SYRACUSE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS ITS FAIR SHARE OF INJUSTICES AGAINST THE RESIDENTS OF SYRACUSE.
>> BEING A BLACK MAN IN SYRACUSE NEW YORK, IT IS NOT EASY TO DRIVE DOWN YOUR STREETS BECAUSE YOUR MUSIC MAY BE A LITTLE BIT TOO LOUD.
IT IS NOT EASY FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE THAT LOOK LIKE YOU AND I TO BE ABLE TO WALK THE STREETS AT A CERTAIN TIME OF NIGHT.
THIS IS NOT OKAY!
>> WE ARE FOR JUSTICE.
NOT PARTIALLY, NO THE HALFWAY.
WE ARE FOR JUSTICE!
THIS IS QUITE FRANKLY THE ONLY TIME THAT ANYTHING WE SAY IS BECAUSE OF YOU, NOT BECAUSE AN ELECTED OFFICIAL DETERMINES THAT I WANT TO DO SOMETHING FOR THIS COMMUNITY!
[ CHEERING ] >> WHEN I THINK ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED WALKING ON THE STEPS AND TALKING ON THE STEPS OF CITY HALL THIS SUMMER, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT COME TO MIND.
FIRST, THE IDEA THAT THIS IS A NEW ISSUE; THAT HAD IN FACT, WHAT TRANSPIRED OVER THE SUMMER WAS A BLIP, WAS CERTAINLY DEEPLY CONCERNING BECAUSE IF YOU CONSIDER WHAT HAPPENED WITH AHMAUD ARBERY WHICH WAS A PUBLIC LYNCH MOB.
IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED TO BREONNA TAYLOR, A WOMAN WHO WAS SLEEPING IN HER BED AND WAS KILLED.
IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED AND THE IMAGE WE SAW OF GEORGE FLOYD, THIS IS A CONSTANT REALITY IN BLACK PEEP'S LIVES IN THIS COUNTRY WHERE THE CONSTANT QUESTIONS OF DO OUR LIVES MATTER HAD TO BE RAISED AND CONTINUOUSLY BE RAISED.
>> WHEN YOU SEE A CITY ERUPT, RARELY IS THE INCIDENT THAT COMES TO THE SURFACE DURING THAT MOMENT THE SOLE REASON FOR THAT ERUPTION.
IT'S THE GAS BEFORE THE ERUPTION THAT DETERMINES HOW YOUR CITY RESPONDS.
SO THE PREEXISTING RELATIONSHIP OR LACK THEREOF THAT YOU HAVE WITH YOUR COMMUNITY BEFORE A CRITICAL INCIDENT, DETERMINES THE LEVEL OF EXPLOSION IN YOUR COMMUNITY.
>> ON THIS NIGHT, WE HAD GATHERED FOR THE GEORGE FLOYD PROTESTS AND AFTER THE PROTESTS ENDED, WE ENDED UP BACK IN FRONT OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING AND THAT'S WHEN SOME OF THE ACTIVITY BAN TO GET OUT OF CONTROL.
>> WE HAD ONE NIGHT TO WHERE WE KIND OF, AT SOME POINTS LOST IT BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS THAT WERE ACTUALLY OUT THERE COMMITTING THESE ACTS OF VIOLENCE.
THE LEADERSHIP THAT WAS IN THAT COMMAND POST, WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE WERE ABLE TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY FIRST FROM A LIFE AND SAFETY STANDPOINT AND SECONDLY, EQUALLY IMPORTANT WAS PROPERTY.
>> WHAT YOU SAW ME DOING WAS ACTUALLY TRYING TO STOP IT FROM HAPPENING.
THE GOAL WAS TO PREVENT WHAT HAPPENED IN OTHER CITIES THAT WE HAD FACED DURING THE GEORGE FLOYD PROTEST.
>> FOR THE 40 DAYS OF THAT, IT WAS ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO BEGIN TO BE, I GUESS IN THE FIRST PHASE OF WHAT WE LOOK LIKE POST THE PROTEST PERIOD BECAUSE WE FELT LIKE THAT IT WAS CONSTRUCTIVE CONTACT WITH THE PUBLIC EVEN DURING THE PROTESTS.
>> IT DIDN'T HAPPEN THE WAY THAT IT HAPPENED IN OTHER CITIES WITH PEOPLE GETTING BEAT BY THE POLICE AND MACED BY THE POLICE AND ARRESTED.
AND WE KNEW SOMETHING COULD HAPPEN.
IT WAS JUST THE POINT OF TRYING TO KEEP IT TO A MINIMUM.
>> AND WE WERE ABLE TO DO THAT.
>> HAND UP!
>> DON'T SHOOT!
>> HANDS UP!
>> DON'T SHOOT!
>> THE LAST COUPLE DAYS OF MAY 2020, WE WERE AWARE OF THE PROTESTS PLANNED IN THE CITY.
I WOULD MEET EVERY DAY WITH THE LEADER OF THE GROUP, GENERALLY THREE OR FOUR OF THEM, SOMETIMES TWO OF THEM.
THE DAY BEFORE THEY WOULD GIVE US A GENERAL SECTOR OF THE CITY THEY PLANNED ON MARCHING AND THE DAY OF THE MARCH, THEY WOULD GIVE US A ROUTE.
WE WOULD NOVA SCOTIA THE ROUTE, IF IT WAS A HAZARD OR A PROBLEM AND AFTER THE FIRST COUPLE OF DAYS, THEY REALIZED THAT I WASN'T THERE TO CAUSE THEM A PROBLEM.
I WAS ACTUALLY ENCOURAGING THE SAFE PASSAGE OF THEM.
A YOUNG MOTHER WALKED UP TO ME AND ASKED IF I WOULD TAKE A PICTURE WITH HER SON.
GLADLY.
WHO WOULDN'T DO THAT.
I GOT DOWN ON ONE LEVEL TO TAKE THE PICTURE AND ANOTHER YOUNG BOY CAME OVER AND I PUT MY ARMS AROUND THEM AND TOOK A PHOTOGRAPH.
IT SEEMED LIKE THE INITIAL ICE BREAKER THAT SEPARATED ANY TENSIONS FROM ME AND MY UNIFORM FROM WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH THAT GROUP.
THEY KNEW THEY COULD TRUST ME FROM THAT POINT FORWARD.
IT WAS VERY EASY TO NEGOTIATE BACK AND FORTH.
WE HAD A GOOD OPEN DIALOGUE.
>> IN REGARDS TO THE BLACK LIVES MATTER MOVEMENT, I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND.
LIKE I SAY, I'M A BLACK MAN IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND I AM A BLACK MALE OFFICER.
SO I SEE ALL THE SIDES.
AND I JUST FEEL LIKE EVERYONE NEEDS TO BE HEARD AND WE NEED TO FIND SOME TYPE OF CONCLUSION THAT'S GOING TO BE ABLE TO HELP US ALL.
AND THAT'S, YOU KNOW, FAIR.
>> WE HAVE A DUTY AND RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT THE FIRST AMENDMENT, EVEN IF THE THINGS THAT ARE BEING SAID ARE AT THE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE PROVIDING THE PROTECTION.
THAT'S NOT NEW TERRITORY FOR POLICE.
WE ARE PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION AND WE HAD A RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT THOSE INDIVIDUALS WOULD BE ABLE TO MARCH WITHOUT INCIDENT.
AND I THINK WHAT WE OUGHT TO LEARN IS THAT IT'S ESSENTIAL FOR US TO CONTINUE TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE HAVE THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS PRESERVED BECAUSE WHEN YOU DON'T DO THAT, ACTUALLY, YOU FIND PEOPLE GOING TO ALTERNATIVE METHODS AND I JUST WANT TO BE CAREFUL IN SAYING THAT ALSO BECAUSE IT'S NOT WHAT WE FIND IN SYRACUSE.
WE FIND PEOPLE WHO ARE DEEPLY CONCERNED AND WHO JOIN IN PROTESTING, WHO GET IN THEIR CARS AND RALLY IN THE COMMUNITY.
AND I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING WE OUGHT TO BE PROUD OF; THAT IS A LESSON IN DEMOCRACY THAT WE ARE TELLING OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT YOUR VOICE MATTERS.
AND THAT, IN FACT, WE ARE GOING TO TAKE YOUR CONCERNS AS ELECTED AND PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND INTEGRATE THEM INTO POLICY.
>> PROTESTORS ARE CONTINUING TO DEMAND THAT SYRACUSE MAYOR BEN WALSH MAKE CHANGES TO THE CITY'S POLICE DEPARTMENT.
IT'S BEEN MORE THAN A MONTH SINCE PROTESTS AGAINST POLICE BRUTALITY STARTED ACROSS THE REGION.
AS WRVO TOM MAGNARELLI REPORTS, STAKEHOLDERS AND PROTESTORS HAVE A LIST OF NINE DEMANDS CALLED THE PEOPLE'S AGENDA THEY WANT THE CITY TO ACCEPT.
>> THE PEOPLE'S AGENDA CALLS FOR MORE ACTION ON REDIRECTING ACTION AWAY FROM THE SYRACUSE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND RENEGOTIATING THE POLICE UNION CONTRACT.
SOME OF THE DEMANDS INCLUDING THE USE OF FORCE POLICY, BODY CAMERAS AND DEMILITARIZATION OF POLICE, MAYOR WALSH HAS EITHER ALREADY ADDRESSED OR ARE STILL ONGOING LIKE THE CALL TO REMOVE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS.
>> CITY OFFICIALS HAVE ANNOUNCED THEIR RESPONSES TO PROTESTORS DEMAND FOR POLICE REFORM.
>> YOU DID NOT MEET THE DEMAND.
THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS SAID OVER AND OVER AGAIN AFTER PROTESTORS SAY THAT THEY FOUND THE RESPONSE TO THEIR NINE DEMANDS TO THE MAYOR'S OFFICE COMPLETELY INADEQUATE.
THE MAYOR'S OFFICE RESPONDING IN PARAGRAPH RESPONSES SAID IT AGREED WITH DEMANDS CLARIFICATION ON THREE AND DEFERRING RESPONSIBILITY ON TWO OF THE DEMANDS INVOLVING THE CITIZENS REVIEW BOARD AND SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS.
>> POLICE REFORM IS NOT A MOMENT IN TIME.
IT IS NOT AN EXECUTIVE ORDER COMPLETED PLAN AND WE WORKED HARD ON.
AND THEN, OKAY, YOU DID IT.
NOT EVEN CLOSE.
>> WE HEARD FROM THE COMMUNITY IN THE SUMMER OF 2019 WHICH I WILL NEVER FORGET AND DURING THE COURSE OF 2020 POLICE REFORM, REVISED IT AGAIN AND THAT IS WHAT IS IN DRAFT FORM RIGHT NOW.
WE HAVE A DOCUMENT RIGHT NOW THAT WE ARE GOING TO TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT BEFORE WE FINALIZE IT.
WHEN HAS THAT BEEN DONE IN THE CITY OF SYRACUSE AT ANY TIME THAT ANYONE CAN REMEMBER?
AND I HAVE LIVED HERE FOR OVER 30 YEARS.
>> OVERALL CRIME WAS DOWN 7% LAST YEAR AND IT IS DOWN 6% SINCE I TOOK OFFICE.
BUT AS IN CITIES ACROSS NEW YORK STATE AND THE NATION, SYRACUSE SAW AN INCREASE IN VIOLENT CRIME.
TRAGICALLY HOMICIDES CLAIMED 31 LIVES THRAFT LAST YEAR.
THE DEPARTMENT IS WORKING EVERY DAY TO BRING THOSE RESPONSIBLE TO JUSTICE.
>> POLICE RESPONDED TO SIX SEPARATE SHOOTINGS LEAVING 12 PEOPLE INJURED.
THE MAP WE ARE ABOUT TO SHOW ON YOUR SCREEN OUTLINES WHERE EACH OF THE SHOOTINGS WERE.
ONE OF THEM SENT NINE PEOPLE TO THE HOSPITAL.
ONE IN CRITICAL CONDITION.
TIME STARTED TO WRAP UP.
IT WAS OVER NINE OR 10:00 AND I WALKED TO GET A SMOOTHY AND I'M WALKING TO GET A SMOOTHY AND I'M IN THE CENTER OF THE PARTY AND THE D.J.
STATED WE ARE GOING TO PLAY THE LAST SONG.
>> THIS IS THE LAST SONG.
>> GOT MY SMOOTHY IN MY HAPPENED, PROCEEDING TO WALK BACK TO THE TABLE THAT I WAS AT AND THE MUSIC STOPPED.
WHEN THE MUSIC STOPPED, I'M LIKE HEY, THE MUSIC WASN'T OVER.
THEN I SEE PEOPLE RUNNING FROM BEHIND ME PEOPLE ARE RUNNING.
AND THEN YOU HEAR THE GUNSHOTS EVERYWHERE.
JUST GUNSHOTS EVERYWHERE.
>> GET DOWN ON THE GROUND!
OW, OW!
>> NOW HERE I AM.
I'M IN A PANIC MODE, BUT I'M ALSO IN A FROZEN MODE.
I HAVE SO MANY DIFFERENT THINGS GOING ON IN MY HEAD.
ARE THEY BEHIND ME?
WHERE'S MY SISTERS, WHERE ARE MY FRIENDS, WHERE ARE MY COUSINS?
SO NOW I'M RUNNING AND AS I'M RUNNING, RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME IS ANOTHER SHOOTER COMING THIS WAY.
SO NOW I'M IN THE CENTER OF LIKE I STATED, A BATTLEFIELD AND I HEAR EVERYONE JUST SCREAMING, GET DOWN!
GET DOWN!
WHAT I SEEN WAS SOMETHING I'VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE IN MY LIFE, NEVER DID I WANT TO SEE.
I SEEN A YOUNG MAN SHOT IN HIS LEG SCREAMING FOR HELP.
I SEEN A YOUNG WOMAN, WE DON'T EVEN KNOW IF SHE WAS SHOT OR WHAT.
SHE WAS JUST LAYING THERE, BLOOD COMING OUT OF HER FACE.
SHE WAS SCARED.
SHE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.
THEN I SEEN AN UNRESPONSIVE YOUNG MAN.
SO, OF COURSE, THAT'S WHERE MY ATTENTION WENT.
SO NOW I'M ON THE PHONE WITH 911 TRYING TO DIRECT AN AMBULANCE TO HIM BECAUSE NOW I'VE SURVEYED THE ENTIRE PARK AND I SEE THAT HE IS THE MOST CRITICALLY INJURED.
SO I RAN AND WHEN I RAN, I SEEN JOE COMMUNIST YO' WHO IS A SERGEANT IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
I RECOGNIZED HIM.
I SAID I NEED YOUR HELP.
JOE, THERE IS A YOUNG MAN OVER THERE UNRESPONSIVE.
HE SAID OKAY.
HIM AND A CROWD OF INDIVIDUALS RAN OVER.
THIS IS WHERE COMMUNITY AND THE POLICE WORKED TOGETHER.
AND WHEN I SAID THEY WORKED TOGETHER BECAUSE YOU HAVE FAMILY AND FRIENDS SCREAMING BECAUSE THEY SEE THIS YOUNG MAN IS UNRESPONSIVE.
JOE IS LOOKING AT ME SAYING I NEED YOUR HELP.
SO WHAT HAPPENED?
WE PUSHED, WE GOT THEM TO HUSH HIM BACK.
GOT THE PARAMEDIC IN TO GET HIM ON THE GURNEY AND ONCE WE GOT HIM ON THE GURNEY, WE WERE MOVING AND DOING WHAT WE NEEDED TO DO.
LATER ON I FOUND OUT WHO THE 17-YEAR-OLD YOUNG MAN WAS AND THAT HE, YOU KNOW, WAS CRITICALLY INJURED AND SIX HOURS PRIOR TO HIM BEING CRITICALLY INJURED, HE GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL.
>> SYRACUSE POLICE ARE NAMING THEIR TENTH SUSPECTED GUN MEN IN THE RYE DAY SHOOTOUT IN JUNE.
POLICE HAVE CHARGED NINE SUSPECTS IN THE SHOOTOUT DURING AN ANNUAL PARTY THAT DREW HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ON THE CITY'S WEST SIDE.
17-YEAR-OLD CHARIEL ON OSORIO WHO HAD JUST GRADUATED WAS KILLED.
>> I COACHED HIS BROTHERS AND ALL THREE OF HIS BROTHERS IN BASEBALL.
IT WAS TOUGH TO GH TO A-- TO GO TO A FUNERAL OF A KID WHO, YOU KNOW, JUST WALKED ACROSS THE STAGE HOURS BEFORE AND HIS LIFE WAS TAKEN.
>> I DON'T WANT A MOTHER TO GO THROUGH WHAT I'M GOING THROUGH EVER.
I WOULDN'T GIVE THIS TO MY WORST ENEMY.
IT HURTS.
>> HOW DID THE DECADES OF SUSPENDING STUDENTS DISPROPORTIONATELY SUCH THAT WE ARE FINALLY GETTING ABOVE 50% GRADUATION RATES, WHICH MEANS WHAT HAPPENED TO THE OTHER 50%?
THE OTHER 50% OF THOSE STUDENTS?
AND WHAT WE SEE HAPPENING IS WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, YOU ARE FUNNELED INTO THE DRUG TRADE.
THIS IS A REALITY THAT WE DON'T REALLY WANT TO ADDRESS BECAUSE IT'S EASIER FOR US TO SAY WELL, I WAS POOR AND I DIDN'T CHOOSE THAT SO THEREFORE SHAME ON THEM.
WE HAVE FORCED OUR YOUNG PEOPLE INTO THIS COMMUNITY TOWARDS THOSE DIRECTIONS.
WE HAVE NOT PROVIDED AN OFF RAMP FOR THEM.
>> HOW DO WE FIX THAT?
>> THAT'S THE BILLION-DOLLAR QUESTION.
THAT'S THE BILLION-DOLLAR QUESTION.
>> I WAS THE WORST.
I WAS THE WORST IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
GOT KICKED OUT ALL THE TIME.
SUSPENDED.
I.S.S., ALMOST 20 TO BEARD ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL.
MY BROTHERS THEY'RE INCARCERATED.
MY BROTHER IS DOING 37 YEARS IN PRIS PRISON-- PRISON FOR SHOOTING HIS GIRLFRIEND AND HER MOTHER BECAUSE THEY SPENT HIS DRUG MONEY.
MY BROTHER GOT SHOT 47 TIMES IN FLORIDA TRYING TO ROB A BANK.
MY MOTHER DIED WHEN I WAS 15.
NEVER MET MY FATHER.
BUT MY TEACHERS, MY COACHES, MY FRIENDS, THEY MADE SURE THAT I STAYED ON THE RIGHT TRACK.
THAT'S WHY I'M HERE AND I WANT TO SHOW THESE KIDS THAT HEY, I GREW UP THE SAME WAY.
TOUGH, NO LIGHTS, DIDN'T HAVE ANYWHERE TO GO.
BUT MY FRIENDS STEPPED UP AND THE PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T HAVE TO STEPPED UP FOR ME.
AND THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO DO FOR YOU.
>> IT WAS SO REFRESHING WHEN I WENT TO THE NEW OFFICERS THAT WERE RECRUITED AND I SAW AN ENERGY OF COMMUNITY.
I SAW THE DIVERSITY, THE YOUTHFULNESS OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS.
IT WAS SOMETHING THAT I NEVER WITNESSED BEFORE.
AND I THINK THAT'S THE KIND OF ENERGY THAT THIS COMMUNITY WAS GIVEN WITH ALL OF THE ECONOMIC CHALLENGES THAT WE HAVE, THAT THERE IS A NEW DAY THAT'S COMING IN THE CITY OF SYRACUSE.
>> AT THIS TIME, IT IS MY HONOR TO CALL CANDIDATE CLASS 20 TO BE DISMISSED ONE FINAL TIME.
YOU MAY DISMISS THE CLASS.
>> YES, SIR!
CLASS!
ATTENTION!
DISMISSED!
>> YES, SIR!
[ APPLAUSE ] >> WHEN YOU ARE WORKING ON THE STREETS, IT'S A DIFFERENT BALL GAME.
THE ACADEMY TAUGHT US THE BASICS AND WHAT WE NEEDED TO DO TO BE COMPETENT OFFICERS ON THE ROAD.
>> I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY TIMES I'VE GONE ON ANY CALLS WHERE I WAS JUST PREPARED JUST BECAUSE, EVEN IF IT IS THE LITTLE THINGS, THE SCENARIO-BASE TRAININGS THEY GAVE US IN THE ACADEMY.
>> IT'S EVERYTHING THAT I IMAGINED IT TO BE AND MORE.
I BELIEVE THAT THE GUARDIAN MENTALITY DEFINITELY STILL IS IN TACT, YOU KNOW, WITH THE CITY THAT HAS PRETTY MUCH HIGH CRIME RATE, YOU KNOW, GUNS AND EVERYTHING LIKE THAT, ONLY BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH THOSE THINGS MAY HAPPEN, THE COMMUNITY AND THE POLICE, WE WORK TOGETHER AND WE ARE DEFINITELY TRYING TO BRIDGE THE GAP OR AND MORE.
THAT GUARDIAN MENTALITY IS THERE FOR SURE.
>> IT HAS BEEN A JOURNEY.
YOU CAN TELL.
PEOPLE ARE A LITTLE WORN DOWN FROM WHAT HAS BEEN GOING ON THE PAST YEAR OR TWO, BUT IN THE END, CHIEF BUCKNER AND EVERYBODY ELSE, WE JUST WANT TO DO THE BEST WE CAN AND WE WANT TO DO IT FOR EVERYBODY.
SO... >> WE THE JURY IN THE ABOVE ENTITLED MANNER COUNT 1, UNINTENTIONAL SECOND DEGREE MURDER FIND THE DEFENDANT GUILTY.
THIS VERDICT AGREED TO THIS 20th DAY OF APRIL 2021 AT 1:44:00 P.M. >> I WATCHED IT AND LIKE MOST PEOPLE, I WAS ON EDGE.
I DID SAY PUBLICLY THAT IT IS NOT VERY GOOD THAT WE WERE SITTING ON THE EDGE OF OUR SEATS WONDERING WHAT THE OUTCOME OF THAT CASE WAS GOING TO BE BECAUSE WHEN WE WATCHED WHAT WE WATCHED, THE FACT THAT WE WOULD HAVE DOUBT, WE WOULD HAVE DOUBT THAT SOMEONE WOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THAT, THAT'S WHY YOU SEE PEOPLE IN THE RAGE THAT YOU SEE THEM IN.
THAT'S WHY YOU SEE PEOPLE WITH THIS MISTRUST OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.
WHEN THEY FEEL LIKE THEY'RE BEING OPPRESS BECAUSE TOO OFTEN THEY HAVE WATCHED SIMILAR VIDEOS AND NO ONE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.
I CERTAINLY BELIEVE THAT THAT CASE RESULTED IN A DEPOSIT OF GOOD WILL AS IT RELATES TO TRUST IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.
>> WE ARE BANKING ON HE IS NOT GOING TO BE ELIGIBLE TO BE THE CHIEF OF POLICE.
HE HAS 12 MONTHS TO BE CERTIFIED THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES TO COMPLETE PHYSICAL TRAINING, PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT.
AND WE DON'T THINK HE IS GOING TO BE CAPABLE OF GETTING ALL OF THIS DONE TO BE QUALIFIED COME DECEMBER.
>> POLICE CHIEF KENTON BUCKNER WILL REMAIN CHIEF BUT AS A CIVILIAN.
BUCKNER DIDN'T PASS PART OF THE PHYSICAL TEST FOR POLICE OFFICER CERTIFICATION IN NEW YORK, ADMITTING HE IS UNABLE TO RUN A MILE AND A HALF IN THE REQUIRED TIME.
>> THE UNION MEMBERSHIP SPOKE AND VOICED THEIR PREFERENCE IN THE FORM OF AN ELECTION.
AND THEY DID NOT RE-ELECT JEFF PIEDMONT AND ELECTED MORAN AS THE CURRENT PRESIDENT.
WHAT THE CHIEF IS COMMITTED TO IS TO MAINTAIN A RELATIONSHIP BY WHICH THEY DON'T HAVE TO AGREE, BUT BY WHICH THEY CONTINUE TO COME TO THE TABLE.
>> FIRST, I APPRECIATE JEFF'S TENURE.
I BELIEVE HE WAS IN THE POSITION ABOUT 26, 27 YEARS.
IT IS NO QUESTION THAT WE GOT OFF TO A ROCKY START.
>> A BIG CROWD LINING THE STREETS TO WATCH THE PARADE BUT WALKING ALONG THE GREEN PAINTED ROAD, A MUCH SMALLER GROUP REPRESENTING SYRACUSE POLICE.
ONLY AROUND 20 OFFICERS MARCHED THIS YEAR.
IT'S A MUCH DIFFERENT NUMBER FROM THE CLOSE TO 100 IN THE PAST.
CHIEF KENTON BUCKNER BLAMES THE LACK OF INTEREST ON INTERNAL ISSUES AND SAYS IT DIDN'T COME AS A SURPRISE.
THERE HAS BEEN A LACK OF SUPPORT FOR THE NEW CHIEF BY SOME OFFICERS EXPRESSING THEY FEEL DISRESPECTED BY HIM.
>> AS FAR AS PRESIDENT MORAN IS CONCERNED, WE HAVE HAD SOME DISAGREEMENTS ABOUT THINGS THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HANDLE AND ADDRESS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.
BUT OVERALL, I WOULD SAY THAT THE RELATIONSHIP HAS BEEN MUTUALLY RESPECTFUL AND PRODUCTIVE.
>> HAVE YOU ASKED HIM YET IF HE WILL WALK WITH YOU IN THE NEXT ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE?
>> I HAVE NOT ASKED THAT QUESTION.
ONE OF THE THINGS ABOUT LEADERSHIP AT TIMES, IT CAN BE A VERY LONELY PLACE.
SO IF AT THE TIME OF THE ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE THEY DECIDE THEY'RE NOT GOING MARCH WITH ME, YOU CAN SEE THAT I HAVE NO PROBLEM MARCHING WITH A FEW GOOD FRIENDS THAT WILL MARCH WITH ME.
YOU MIGHT BE SURPRISED I DON'T LOSE A LOT OF SLEEP ON THE JOB BECAUSE I DO FEEL LIKE I'M DOING THE RIGHT THING.
WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE SERVING YOUR PURPOSE, WHAT MAY BE STRESSFUL TO YOU OR SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN'T STOMACH THAT'S A PURPOSE FOR ME, IS MORE DIGESTIBLE BECAUSE I TRULY FEEL LIKE I'M IN MY LANE.
AND THE REASON THAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REACH THE PINNACLE OF THIS PROFESSION IS I ACTUALLY LOVE WHAT I DO FOR A LIVING, DESPITE THE FRUSTRATIONS AND THE STRESS AND THE THINGS THAT I GO THROUGH, I STILL LOVE THE WORK.
I'VE TOLD THIS STORY MANY TIMES.
IT'S TRUE THAT THE ADAGE OF NINE LIVES AND I'VE LOST EIGHT OF THEM AND I COME BACK ON MY NINTH, I WOULD CHOOSE TO BE A POLICE OFFICER.
IF YOU HAVE THAT KIND OF TRUE GENUINE LOVE OF WHAT YOU ARE DOING, YOU ARE PROBABLY GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL AT IT.
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