Brooklyn, NY – State Senator Kevin Parker, a leader on police reform issues in New York, moderated a pivotal forum titled “Reimagining Policing: A Multidimensional Approach to Increasing Public Safety.” This event, created by Dr. Tawanna Gilford and Kyana Beckles, was also moderated by Assemblymember Latrice Walker and hosted by Assemblymember Brian Cunningham. The town hall series was dedicated to enhancing integrity and accountability in law enforcement while improving public safety.
The panel featured Deputy Commissioner Wendy Garcia, who represented Equity & Inclusion for the New York City Police Department; Councilmember Farah Louis; Derrick Hamilton, CEO and Founder of Families and Friends of the Wrongfully Convicted; Kyana Beckles, CEO of
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Leverage Assessments; Councilmember Rita Joseph; Jeffrey Severe, Deputy Public Advocate for Justice and Safety-Community Engagement; Dr. Tawanna Gilford, Co-founder of the Universal Stop False Police Reporting Initiative; and Senator Kevin Parker. They discussed their experiences and motivations in advocating for criminal justice reform.
Senator Parker remarked, “This forum was a crucial step in addressing the complex issues surrounding law enforcement. By reimagining policing, we can develop a comprehensive approach to ensure the safety and well-being of all community members. I was honored to be a part of this important discussion and remain committed to advocating for policies that promote accountability and public safety.”
Dr. Tawanna Gilford, a NYS licensed psychologist and Co-founder of the Universal Stop False Police Reporting Initiative, stated, “Our goal was to bring awareness to the systemic issues in law enforcement and to advocate for reforms that ensure justice and accountability. This forum served as an essential platform for discussing how we can create a safer, more equitable society.”
Kyana Beckles, CEO of Leverage Assessments, added, “By bringing together community leaders, law enforcement officials, and advocates, we can identify practical solutions to improve public safety and restore trust in our police force. This event was a step forward in reimagining our city and the role of law enforcement in our communities.”
As a prominent advocate for police reform, Senator Parker successfully introduced and created the following new laws:
● The 911 False Reporting
● The Office of Police Misconduct
● The Right to Record
Additionally, Senator Parker continues to push the following important pieces of legislation:
● Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) (S.4214) 2019-2020
● New York Accountability in Reporting Act (S.1772A)
● The Body Camera Bill (S.7947)
● Residency Requirement for Police Officers (S.7271)
● Emergency Mental Health Units (S.7267)
● Excessive Use of Force Bill (S.8449)
● Qualified Immunity Reform (S.5771)
● Police Training Bill (S.7329)
The goal of the forum was to discuss specific tools to increase public safety: protecting civilians from harm directed towards each other and from harm by officers against civilians.
Attendees gained a better understanding of how to achieve a safer society through establishing a safer police force.
