In his first-ever press conference, Woodstock town supervisor Bill McKenna announced the formation of a task force to control police costs and ensure the department is aligned with community values.
“The Woodstock Police Department, dedicated to customer service, has worked to ensure our quality of life has been maintained,” McKenna said on January 10. “We have traditionally looked for individuals who are part peace officer, part social worker and part tourist guide. The town finds that it is now time to reassess the overall mission of its police department.”
The costs of maintaining a police department continue to spiral, McKenna said. The Woodstock Police Reimagination Task Force will review the police department and make recommendations to the town board. “The formation of this task force is crucial in defining the mission statement of the department and helping to foster the best value for our tax dollars.”
The task force will provide an evaluation of existing practices, polices and training programs, identify areas for improvement, outline best practices, and ensure policies align with community values.
“The task force review of our police department can serve as a catalyst for meaningful reform reinforce our community commitment to justice, safety and respect for all community members. It is an essential step towards forming a police department that reflects the values and needs of the community it serves,” McKenna said.
With retirement and other costs included, the police operating budget of around $1.2 million approaches $2 million a year. The department has ten full-time officers including the chief, plus about ten part-time officers.
McKenna denied the task force had been formed in response to lawsuits and investigations.
“I think over the years our local police department dealt with local issues — dogs and traffic and speeding and parking and telling people where Magic Meadow is — and a lot of our old-timers have moved forward, and a lot of new young people have come in,” he said. “The costs are skyrocketing, and may well be of great value to the community, but I think it’s time for us to have a conversation about what we’re spending and what we want for that.”
Noise was one huge issue. “So, do we want stricter enforcement with that? Do we want to deal with that in a different way?”
McKenna does not intend to dissolve the police force, nor think the task force will make that recommendation. He’d be shocked if it did.
‘I think, by and large, we value our police department,” he said. “We have great officers, and they do a great job. But I think … we need to have conversation about what we expect and what we value most.”
The task force will not repeat the work of the town’s Police Reform and Reinvention Committee formed in response to a statewide mandate from Gov. Andrew Cuomo in 2020 in response to the police killing of George Floyd in Ferguson, Mo.
“I think we’re going to talk more specifically about value, dollars, what we’re spending and what we expect, but I also think that that’s a great starting point, that we should take a look at that report, what was generated from that and then work from there. So I think that’s an important tool,” McKenna said.
Councilmember Anula Courtis had chaired the original committee.
“The importance of this task force cannot be overstated,” she said. “While we take pride in the dedication and hard work of our police department, we also recognize opportunities for meaningful change. By revisiting and implementing the recommendations of the committee, we can chart a path toward a better future. Woodstock’s unique character and community values should shape the task force’s solutions, ensuring systems that promote equity, trust, and safety for all residents. While fiscal responsibility is essential, public transparency and active engagement with Woodstockers must also be prioritized to create a safer, stronger, and more inclusive community.”
McKenna expects a report within six or seven months. He wants one or two members of the police department to be on the task force, perhaps a younger and an older officer. Other members will include a town resident, possibly a member of the chamber of commerce, and representatives of different minority groups.
Those interested in serving on the task force can contact McKenna’s office at 845-679-2113, ext. 17or supervisor@woodstockny.org.
McKenna said. “We have traditionally looked for individuals who are part peace officer, part social worker and part tourist guide.
When reached by phone on January 12, Sgt. Adam McGrath, who is the police union shop steward and PBA president, said the union was surprised by the announcement and doesn’t quite understand the need for it or its purpose. Police personnel were not consulted about the formation of the task force, he said. McGrath noted McKenna had previously threatened to downsize the department.
McGrath said he wasn’t informed of the announcement until the day before the press conference. The union plans a full response after further review of the specifics and discussion with officers, he said.
McKenna said he is considering more press conferences on topics of concern.
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