Mayor Walsh Executive Order Action Plan

Status: Completed

Executive Order Action #1: Right to Know Law 

Review, revise and amend the policies and procedures of the Syracuse Police Department (SPD) to ensure the principles embodied in the New York City Right to Know Act are incorporated into the department’s policies and procedures, including but not limited to self-identification to citizens, provision of written identification to citizens, obtaining consent to searches, recording consent and making the record of the consent available to the subject of the search. This will be done in conjunction with legislative action by the Syracuse Common Council, which will seek to codify the Right to Know principles related to the reporting of investigative encounters. 

Where We Stand:

• On October 13, 2020 the Syracuse Common Council passed the Right to Know law. 
• Click here to read the April 5 update on the full implementation of the Right to Know Law's operational components.
• In accordance with the Right to Know legislation passed by the Syracuse Common Council on October 13, 2020, the City is reporting the following update:
  • Syracuse Police Department Right to Know Policy 434
  • NEW REPORT April 1, 2021-June 30, 2021 Syracuse Police Department Investigative Encounters Report. [view online] [download as PDF] [download as Excel]
  • July 30, 2021 Letter to the Common Council. [view and download PDF]
  • Follow-up Letter to the Common Council dated August 12, 2021, that provides further context to the report data. [view and download PDF]
  • Onondaga Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) Model VIII Plan. You can read more about the GIVE Model and other Violence Diversion programs/models on pages 50-51 of the Syracuse Police Reform and Reinvention Plan
• On August 26, 2021, the Syracuse Police published data in accordance with the Right to Know legislation. Click here to read the progress update and all of the included reports. [Read Progress Update]
• Q2 2021 Right to Know Data [download as Excel]
• Q3 2021 Right to Know Data [download as Excel]
• Q4 2021 Right to Know Data [download as Excel]
• Q1 2022 Right to Know Data [download as Excel]
• Q2 2022 Right to Know Data [download as Excel]
• Q3 2022 Right to Know Data [download as Excel] 

Status: Completed

Executive Order Action #2: Update Syracuse Police Use-of-Force Policy  Revise Syracuse Police Department's 2019 Use of Force policy to ensure that it is compliant with recent changes in New York State law, and fully consider any policy changes requested by the Syracuse community.

Where We Stand:

• A draft revised use-of-force policy is available for public view and comment. Read the draft update by visiting Executive Order Action #2 Progress Update.
• Further review and modification of the draft policy subsequent to community input is currently underway. The final policy will be released in July, 2021.
• Syracuse Police Department Policy 300 Use of Force (final).
• Read the 2021 Use of Force Report. 

Status: Completed

Executive Order Action #3: Update Body-Worn Camera Policy  Revise the Syracuse Police Department's current Body-Worn Camera Policy to ensure that officers record the entirety of their presence on the scene of a police encounter.

Where We Stand:

• A draft revised body-worn-camera policy is available for public view and comment. Read the draft update by visiting Executive Order Action #3 Progress Update.
• Further review and modification of the draft policy subsequent to community input is currently underway. The final policy will be released in July, 2021.
• Syracuse Police Department Policy 424 Body Worn Cameras (final) October 13, 2021, the Syracuse Police Department submitted a request to the Syracuse Common Council for the use of $343,260 of Federal COVID Relief Funds (ARPA) to purchase 60 Axon, Inc. body worn cameras to add to its current inventory under the Body Worn Camera Program. This will bring the total to 280. The council is considering the request for its October 25, 2021 council session. 

Status: Completed

Executive Order Action #4: Complete Acquisition of Body-Worn Cameras

Complete the Syracuse Police Department’s efforts to obtain additional body-worn cameras so that all uniformed officers assigned to patrol or who otherwise respond to citizen calls will be equipped with cameras.

Where We Stand:

• On July 13, 2020 the Syracuse Common Council approved legislation to ensure accurate compliance for procurement of body-worn cameras from the Department of Justice.
• In August 2020, 220 body-worn cameras were purchased and acquired.
• In September 2020, docking equipment was installed.
• Camera assignment and training will be completed by October 25, 2020.
• Click here to read the October 2020 update on the acquisition of 220 body-worn cameras.
• Click here to read the full Executive Order Action #4 Progress Update. 

Status: Completed

Executive Order Action #5: Develop, Implement Plan for Vehicle Dashcams

Develop and implement a plan to deploy dashboard cameras on all Syracuse Police Department marked vehicles.

Where We Stand:

• The Syracuse Police Department Division of Technology and Program Management has initiated and completed a 30-day pilot program (Sept. 5 – Oct. 5, 2020) with 3 dashcam vendors.
• Next, Syracuse Police will identify and secure revenue sources for procurement.
• Read the October 2020 update on Implementing Vehicle Dashcams 

Status: Monitoring/Ongoing

Executive Order Action #6: Complete Military Inventory, Policy, and Procedure

Conduct a complete inventory of all equipment acquired through military surplus programs that are in possession of the SPD; establish policies and procedures regarding the use of such equipment; and establish parameters for future procurement of such equipment.

Where We Stand:

• September 2020, Syracuse Police completed an inventory of military equipment procured through US Department of Defense 1033 Program.
• December 1, 2020 Syracuse Police released their updated military equipment deployment policy and procedures. +Read the Executive Order No.1 Action 6 Update.
• The administration continues to review the USDOJ Civil Rights Division Investigation of the Ferguson Police Department Report and its recommendations as a guide.
• Click here to read the full Executive Order Action #6 Progress Update for details. 

Status: Monitoring/Ongoing

Executive Order Action #7: Publicize Police Union Contracts Post on the City of Syracuse and/or the Syracuse Police Department website: a. The collection of documents that together comprise the most recent collective bargaining agreement with the Syracuse Police Benevolent Association (PBA); and b. A comprehensive summary of that collection of documents, which my administration prepared and presented to the PBA for review and acceptance in 2019; and c. The Tentative Agreement reached with the PBA in November 2019, which has not been approved, and which is now the subject of the impasse resolution process set forth in the New York State Taylor Law.

Where We Stand:

• Immediately after signing the Syracuse Police Reform Executive Order, the City published its contract with the police union (Syracuse Police Benevolent Association). See contract on syracusepolice.org.
• The PBA contract is not currently consolidated into a single document so the documents' parts, its related documents and the 1998-1999 written contract are all available online.
• Read the full Executive Order Action #7 Progress Update for details.
• June 29, 2021, the New York State Public Employment Relations Board Interest Arbitration Panel issued an Interest Arbitration Award for the period of January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2019. A copy of the award document can be found here. 

Status: Monitoring/Ongoing

Executive Order Action #8: Publicize Syracuse Police Policies Make Syracuse Police Department policies publicly available on syracusepolice.org or syr.gov

Where We Stand:

• Syracuse Police have published its policies online for its use of body-worn cameras, use-of-force, interactions with transgender persons, and the Right to Know policy.
• Future policies are pending publication.
• Policies are being regularly updated on the City of Syracuse SPD webpage.
  • This includes: Right to Know, Use of Force, Body Worn Camera, and Interactions with Transgender Individuals.
  • Click here to read the full Executive Order Action #8 Progress Update for details. 

Status: Monitoring/Ongoing

Executive Order Action #9: Comply with Civil Rights Law Sec. 50A

Develop a process to ensure legal compliance with New York State’s repeal of Civil Rights Law Sec. 50-a and related amendments to the Freedom of Information Law, which require the city to disclose copies of certain police personnel records upon request.

Where We Stand:

• Internal processes for responding to Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests for police personnel and disciplinary records have been developed and are currently being implemented. The Department of Law is actively preparing responses to pending FOIL requests. 

Status: Implementing

Executive Order Action #10: Actively Oppose Consent Decree Dissolution

Continue to actively oppose any legal attempt to dissolve or otherwise eliminate the judicial consent decree which continues to be a critically necessary tool to improve the diversity of our police department.

Where We Stand:

• The City of Syracuse is actively opposing the current attempt by the U.S. Department of Justice to dissolve the judicial consent decree.
• On October 13, 2020, Syracuse Common Council voted to memorialize their opposition to the decree.
• On October 29, 2020, the City of Syracuse submitted its written opposition to the motion to dissolve the consent decree.
• Click here to read the Executive Order No.1 Action #10 Progress Update on Consent Decree.

Status: Completed

Executive Order Action #11: Review Procedure for "No-Knock" Warrants

Review the department’s procedure and approval process regarding the application of search warrants that seeks a “no-knock” provision from a court to ensure compliance with Constitutional standards.

Where We Stand:

Syracuse Police Department Policy 607 - Warrant Service section 607.6.1 identifies procedures for No-Knock Warrant Applications:

607.6.1 NO-KNOCK WARRANT APPLICATIONS

Under a limited set of circumstances, a member may make an application for a search warrant and request that a search warrant authorize the executing police officer(s) to enter a premises to be searched without giving notice of their authority and purpose (CPL § 690.35(4b)).

Any search warrant application requesting a No-Knock provision must be reviewed and approved by a command officer (i.e. lieutenant or above) prior to being submitted to the Court.

Authorization must be granted by the Chief of Police or a Deputy Chief prior to the execution of any No-Knock search warrant.

Any member making such application to a court shall articulate that there is reasonable cause to believe that:

(a) The property sought may be easily and quickly disposed of, or; 

(b) The giving of such notice may endanger the life or safety of the executing officer or another person, or;

(c) In the case of an application for a search warrant as defined in paragraph (b) of subdivision 690.05 for the purpose of searching for and arresting a person who is the subject of a warrant for a felony, the person sought is likely to commit another felony or may endanger the life or safety of the executing officer or another person.

The full policy can be seen here. 

Status: Monitoring/Ongoing

Executive Order Action #12: Improve Relations with the Citizens Review Board

Continue to improve collaboration with the Syracuse Citizen Review Board (CRB) to ensure the flow of documents and information as embodied in Local Law No. 11. Further, commit to: a. Reviewing the disciplinary recommendations presented by the CRB prior to making a final determination of discipline of an officer; and b. In cases where the Chief issues no discipline, or discipline that is lesser than is that recommended by the CRB, provide to the CRB a written explanation of the reason for such level of discipline or lack thereof.

Where We Stand:

• Syracuse Police and CRB representatives meet regularly to discuss how to operationalize improved communication and have made marked progress.
• September 2020, Chief Kenton Buckner issued a letter to the CRB committing to comply with Local Law No. 11.
• The Syracuse Police Chief will fully consider the recommendations of the CRB prior to making disciplinary decisions.
• Click here to read the full Executive Order Action #12 Progress Update on Improving Relations with the CRB.   

Status: Monitoring/Ongoing

Executive Order Action #13: Train on Racism, Cultural Competency  Develop and deliver training on the history of racism in Syracuse and the United States, both in the police academy and during in-service training, such that 100% of the membership of SPD receives this training. Additionally, deliver department-wide training in cultural competency for law enforcement.

Where We Stand:

• Syracuse Police are researching options to address this action.

Cultural Competency Training - The Syracuse Police Department through the services of Global Perspectives Consulting - Dr. Robert Strauss, provided 8 hours of cultural competency training for sworn, non-sworn and police recruits.

Information About the Training 

Cultural Competency for Law Enforcement

For the Syracuse Police Department

By Global Perspectives Consulting

Dr. Robert Strauss

September-October 2021 

DESCRIPTION

Cultural Competency for Law Enforcement begins with a basic understanding of culture and how it works. The objective of facilitation is to equip police officers with cultural competencies, that is, understanding and skills across cultures. The aim is not related to political activism. The attitude from the facilitator is one of respect not denunciation. The training explains "cultural competencies". Throughout the course, applications are made to law enforcement interactions in local communities that are protected and served. Officers observe how conflict management is differentiated across cultures, especially in four overarching patterns of culture: justice, honor, harmony, and reciprocity. The four patters are found both globally and locally.

OBJECTIVES

• To understand (anew) cultural diversity among different populations of people

• To acquire cultural competency skills to interact with people of diverse cultures, especially in conflict management

PRESENTER

Dr. Robert Strauss is the Owner of Global Perspectives Consulting and has a doctorate in intercultural studies. His expertise is in culture and how culture works in diverse intercultural contexts. Strauss is a Lead Faculty in the Anderson College of Business and Computing at Regis University in Denver, Colorado. He is the author of two books.

MEMBERS OF SPD TRAINED

337 Sworn Employees

67 Non-sworn Employees

43 Recruits