Board reviews use-of-force reporting, training and statewide oversight consortium

Board members and police staff reviewed how use-of-force incidents are documented, how supervisors review reports and video, and how both training and internal affairs follow from those reviews.

Speakers described the reporting chain: an officer completes a use-of-force form that becomes part of the incident report; sergeants and lieutenants review the documentation and can trigger coaching, additional training or internal investigations if issues are found. “Once the form is completed, it’s reviewed by sergeant … the lieutenant reviews that, and he comes upstairs, for a final review,” Speaker 3 said.

State context and standards: presenters noted New York State now collects use-of-force data and that local forms reflect state requirements; the group contrasted the absence of single national standards with New York’s steps to standardize reporting and training. Speaker 5 referenced the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement materials for additional guidance.

Camera footage and verification: staff described a review process in which supervisors search upload logs and 24-hour windows to confirm whether body-worn cameras recorded an incident; missing uploads are identified by supervisors and may prompt follow-up when an officer emails that a device failed to upload.

What’s next: board members asked staff to continue providing written reports for minutes and to circulate the statewide consortium wrap-up recording so members who missed the meeting can review it; the public meeting closed as the board prepared to discuss specific cases in executive session.

Ending note: No formal policy changes or votes were recorded; the board requested follow-up material and vendor responses to outstanding technical questions.