ROCHESTER — City government and police officials announced "90 days of Community Engagement" last month to find ways to improve the relationship between the Rochester Police Department and city residents.
At the request of Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren, Police Chief Michael Ciminelli and Deputy Chief for Community Relations Wayne Harris will meet with residents in October and November to gather their input on how to improve relations, according to a city press release. The department will have until the end of the year to develop a draft strategic plan on improving community relations and engagement. The announcement follows the Sept. 15 incident involving a physical altercation between a Rochester woman and a police officer on Hollenbeck Street. Police body-camera videos have been released on youtube.com.
Public input also will be sought by the Rochester City Council as Councilman Adam McFadden, chairman of the Public Safety Committee, leads efforts to retool the current Civilian Review Board. The goal will be to expand the role of the review board and have it function in an independent investigative capacity, according to city officials.
Neighborhood groups, churches, clergy, businesses, cultural organizations and schools are also invited to participate. For more information, contact Harris at 585-428-7033 or e-mail RPDEmpowersRochester@CityofRochester.gov.
