Binghamton Panel Proposes “Anti-Racism” Measures

Members of the Binghamton Human Rights Commission are calling on City Council to enact legislation to address concerns about relations between police and minorities.

Supporters of the proposal discussed the measure with lawmakers during a council work session Monday evening.

Commission member Sean Massey says the legislation would ban the use of racial profiling. Such profiling already is illegal but Massey says this would emphasize that it should not be used.

The proposal also would require "enhanced data collection" to better analyze all stops made by police.

Massey says law enforcement officers also be required to undergo regular "cultural competency" and anti-racism training.

The legislation also would direct the city police administration to develop a "workable and sustainable" plan to diversify the force.

Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program, Massey said about three percent of the Binghamton police officers are people of color. He said none of the officers being hired this year are black.

Massey said he's "pretty shocked" that no black officers are expected to be hired for the city police department this year.