The city of Albany has responded to the nationwide outcry following the senseless killings of individuals like George Floyd and Breonna Taylor by acknowledging the severe lack of police accountability within their community. Recent complaints from members of the Community Police Review Board shed light on the fact that certain officials would rather ignore the need for change. However, with the passage of Local Law J in November 2021, the board has gained newfound authority to conduct their own investigations, which serves as a crucial safeguard against law enforcement misconduct.
In a letter addressed to the Common Council, the board, which has been in existence for two decades and consists of nine members, expressed their frustrations with various obstacles hindering their progress. One issue highlighted in the letter is the uncooperative stance taken by Albany’s Corporation Counsel, Marisa Franchini, and their tendency to conclude that records related to ongoing or potential criminal investigations should not be handed over by the police department. This approach only encourages obstruction and gives the impression that the corporation counsel is aligned with the department’s interests instead of serving as an impartial entity.
Furthermore, the board should not have to tolerate the police department’s absurd practice of providing short-lived secure links for accessing digital materials, such as body-worn camera videos. This method of handling requests for information creates unnecessary barriers akin to a storyline from “Mission: Impossible.” If the board, or any of its members, are not violating confidentiality protocols surrounding police-produced materials, they should be granted custodial access for as long as necessary.
Most significantly, the board has encountered resistance from the police department when attempting to enforce their subpoenas. This obstruction greatly undermines the board’s ability to conduct independent investigations. The recent contract struck between the city and its largest police union, which fails to make any provisions for accommodating the review board’s work, clearly indicates the intention of Mayor Kathy Sheehan and Police Chief Eric Hawkins to undermine the board’s authority. This behavior is akin to mistreating a group of demanding children, rather than respecting the legitimate concerns and demands of the review board.
Plainly stated, the citizens of Albany voted for Local Law J because they desired a much stronger system of police oversight. It is high time for Mayor Sheehan and Chief Hawkins to do more than offer vague reassurances about resolving their differences. They must publicly demonstrate their support for the board through both words and actions. If these leaders continue to fall short in their responsibilities, the Common Council should reconsider and revise Local Law J to remove any ambiguity surrounding the board’s powers and the police department’s obligations.
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