Northampton has taken a significant step this past this year toward creating a Department of Community Care conceived of and recommended by the Policing Review Commission and now funded by Mayor David Narkewicz in his recommended fiscal 2022 budget..
Edward Olmstead: Learning about policing through commission is informative
Published: 1/28/2021 1:47:37 PM
Since the Northampton Policing Review Commission released its interim report to the City Council, there have been reactions from the public and Chief Jody Kasper.
In a letter to the editor, a writer characterizes the commission as irresponsible for releasing a report with inaccuracies and characterizes the commission chair as “back-peddling” when he offered explanations and corrections.
As a member of the public, I have been attending to observe many of the commission’s meetings, as well as meetings of the Alternatives to Policing Subcommittee. I am deeply disturbed by the clear evidence of nationally disproportionate risks of death, injuries, and maltreatment for people of color at the hands of police departments.