BUFFALO, NY - Buffalo Common
Council has started forming a committee that will oversee the Buffalo Police
Department's training and compliance with state laws.
This comes after two recent
incidents of alleged police misconduct.
Last month, a Buffalo police
officer was caught on video slapping and kicking a suspect. That officer has
been suspended without pay.
About two weeks ago, two
off-duty officers working security at Molly's Pub on Main Street were present
when a man was beaten inside the bar.
"If we do nothing, we're
guilty, and if something else happens and we don't have a vehicle that is
already in place, then I think we have not done our duty," said council
president Darius Pridgen.
That something is to reinstate
the police oversight committee, which a majority of council members support. On
Tuesday, Pridgen named council member David Rivera to chair the committee.
"Our goal is to find out
how we can remedy this -- how we can prevent incidents like this from
reoccurring," Rivera said.
The committee's purpose is to
make sure police are following state laws and rules within the the state liquor
authority. It would also review use of force and search and seizure training of
officers, and the outside employment of officers at bars or restaurants.
"What is the situation on
outside employment, because some of those officers were allegedly violating
state law when they were inside Molly's pub," said council member David
Franczyk.
In the past, the Common Council
did review issues within the police department.
Former council member Brian
Davis used to chair a police oversight committee. But, in 2009, Davis admitted
to using city funds for personal use. Davis resigned from office and Franczyk,
the former council president, never appointed anyone to continue the committee.
Meantime, the investigations
into the officers continue.
The city already has what's
called the commission on Citizen's Rights and Community Relations. The panel
reviews and monitors police training and investigation procedures. So there is
some overlap between the commission and the oversight committee.
Pridgen tells 2 On Your Side
that he plans to name members of the committee later this week. The panel could
call for hearings to get answers from police on what the department's policy is
on various issues.