The Village of Cobleskill Citizens Police Advisory Board has had a successful start, according to John O’Donnell, chair of the board.
The Advisory Board was formed in September 2021 to provide feedback and input on issues related to the village Police Department and also to foster positive relationships between police and the community.
In its six meetings over the past 18 months, the CAB has made accomplishments, including revisions to the Police Department’s Use of Force policy, Mr. O’Donnell reported in a press release.
The CAB made 10 changes in the use of force policy to “improve the policy’s clarity, consistency and specificity of duty,” according to the press release.
“In a number of instances the word ‘should’ was replaced with the word ‘shall.’ For example, if an officer observes another officer using excessive force on a citizen, the observing officer ‘shall’ have a duty to intervene to stop the excessive force. Previous policy stated that an observing officer ‘should’ intervene,” the press release continues.
The CAB also addressed concerns brought to the board, including SUNY Cobleskill minority students feeling harassed downtown, excessive speed and vehicle noise, mental health concerns, drug abuse, police-community relations and zoning violations, especially those of property maintenance.
Details are in the 2022 CAB Annual Report, which is available by googling Village of Cobleskill and activating the police department tab.
The next CAB meeting is scheduled for April 19 at 6pm in the first floor conference room in the village office on Mineral Springs Road. The meeting is open to the public.
Besides Mr. O’Donnell, CAB members are Mayor Becky Terk, Police Chief Justin Manchester, Wendy Cook, Patricia Mesibov, John Sapovits and John Stiles. Ms. Cook is vice chair.