Binghamton Leaders Talk Diversity

The City of Binghamton is being held up as an example for other communities when it comes to dealing with improving relations and interaction between police and members of the community.

Binghamton Mayor Richard David and Police Chief Joseph Zikuski were among the presenters at a police-community relations summit in Albany March 2.

Binghamton had asked the New York State Conference of Mayors last year about police diversity training and that, along with actions the city has taken to improve relations, led to the summit being called.

David and Zikuski highlighted the Citizen Police Academy, outreach to young people, the introduction of body cameras on police officers and efforts to attract minority and female applicants for police and fire positions.

Other participants in the panel were leaders from Rochester, Freeport and Newburgh.