New Paltz Town Council members opened a public hearing last week on a law to shift the role of the Police Commission back to appointed residents, rather than elected officials. This would undo the change made by the last supervisor, Susan Zimet, which put the two jobs together in the interest of simplifying the budget process. This is happening in the context of a high degree of interest in police reform, and residents who testified looked at the law through that lens.
Tom Jeliffe, recalling that the last appointed commissioners were dismissed to make way for the current system, wants assurances that this group will be more independent. State law precludes them being selected by anyone other than the Town Board members, but Jeliffe believes that removing them should at least require a public hearing first. That’s what’s required for Planning Board members.
Although this new law has been described by Supervisor Neil Bettez as essentially the same as the old, it was pointed out that the old rules gave commissioners final say on promotions of officers, but the new law reserves that to Town Board members instead.
Racial equity is also a central idea in discussions around police, and there is a hope that at least two of the new commissioners will not identify as white. Police Reform Commission member Jennifer Berry has been tasked with reviewing applications and making recommendations with that in mind, but resident Maggie Veve urged council members to develop a process that doesn’t depend on Berry living forever.
The word is already out that Town residents are being sought to serve on this new commission, but few applications have been received. Town Board members discussed writing a job description to give people a better sense of the time commitment. The hearing was held open to October 7.
Anyone who is interested in serving on the Police Commission should send a letter of interest to assistant@townofnewpaltz.org.Â
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