GMCGeneral
Diamond Member
In another thread, I alluded to a rather extended and pleasant conversation I had with two gentlemen, one of which is the Commissioner for the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority and I brought the subject up of police reform for the Buffalo PD. Ultimately, what got me thinking were two points that if implemented, would reduce problems within the force by at least 85-90%, IMO. He (the commissioner) brought up the fact that Buffalo was sorely lacking in Field Training Officers, who's role is to help probationary officers do the job properly and rein them in when needed. More on that one later as training in any field is a huge issue with me. The other thing, I think, has more to do with intimacy with the communities and neighborhoods at large. Back in the early 90s under the Masiello Administration, someone brought up the ideas of consolidating the 16 or so police precincts into five districts, and switching from two man to one man patrol cars. Their thinking was that it would save money with physical buildings.
1. But at what cost? I think it was a horrible idea as it forced patrols into larger areas and we lost that connection with our local precinct. I live in the South side of the city and used to be in the 15th Precinct (Now A district). South Buffalo, which includes the old First Ward, Kaisertown, and the Valley used to be in the 15th, 9th, and 7th precincts, respectively. Upper East Side/University was under the 11th, 12th, and 16th precincts.
My thinking is we bring back precincts it would reduce the amount of patrol area an officer has to cover and also restore alot of the intimacy with the neighborhoods they're patrolling
2. Training, training, training!!! This is a huge issue with me as I value proper training. From what I was told, rookie cops in Buffalo are typically unleashed within the city without proper oversight and supervision from a Field Training Officer (FTO), Senior officers who are tasked to "break in" probationers. Seems nobody wants the job as they see it as a "step down" in their status. End result is what we are seeing with police misconduct, conduct unbecoming, and excessive use of force. This can be an easy fix. For any officer desiring to move up into command ranks (Sergeant or greater), make it mandatory that they spend at least two to three years as a Field Training Officer first!
Two simple solutions that I think can resolve 85-90% of the issues in my PD.
Any other ideas?
1. But at what cost? I think it was a horrible idea as it forced patrols into larger areas and we lost that connection with our local precinct. I live in the South side of the city and used to be in the 15th Precinct (Now A district). South Buffalo, which includes the old First Ward, Kaisertown, and the Valley used to be in the 15th, 9th, and 7th precincts, respectively. Upper East Side/University was under the 11th, 12th, and 16th precincts.
My thinking is we bring back precincts it would reduce the amount of patrol area an officer has to cover and also restore alot of the intimacy with the neighborhoods they're patrolling
2. Training, training, training!!! This is a huge issue with me as I value proper training. From what I was told, rookie cops in Buffalo are typically unleashed within the city without proper oversight and supervision from a Field Training Officer (FTO), Senior officers who are tasked to "break in" probationers. Seems nobody wants the job as they see it as a "step down" in their status. End result is what we are seeing with police misconduct, conduct unbecoming, and excessive use of force. This can be an easy fix. For any officer desiring to move up into command ranks (Sergeant or greater), make it mandatory that they spend at least two to three years as a Field Training Officer first!
Two simple solutions that I think can resolve 85-90% of the issues in my PD.
Any other ideas?