Oneonta Officials Working to Ensure Best Law Enforcement Practices

Following the reaction of a group of Oneonta residents holding a social justice rally in addition to multiple similar protest events regionally and around the country in the wake of the death of George Floyd in a Minneapolis police brutality case, Oneonta Mayor Gary Herzig and Deputy Mayor David Rissberger have opened a dialog with Oneonta's Police Chief Doug Brenner on reviewing the department's operations and how to ensure best police practices during this tumultuous time.

According to AllOTSEGO, Rissberger initiated the review to address questions that have been raised following Floyd's death. The OPD review will possibly include the creation of a commission to review the police department's procedures and policies.

Mayor Herzig shared with AllOTSEGO, “First of all, I have confidence in our police chief and police department, however, this is a time for all of us to do a little introspection and self-awareness and take a look at our operating procedures and our policies to make sure they are designed to do everything that we can to guard against any type of inequality in how we treat the public.”

Herzig, following a conversation with Oneonta NAACP Vice President Michelle Osterhoudt and former Common Council colleague, will consider National NAACP recommendations to use as a guide when reviewing the OPD.

For more on this story provided in partnership with AllOTSEGO, click here.