Southampton Town has asked the public to weigh in with its perception of the town's Police Department in a survey titled "Your Opinion Matters." Offered in English and Spanish, the Community Law Enforcement Review Committee survey will be available at southamptontownny.gov until Nov. 23.
"Policing and police policies have become national issues this year," the town said in a release on Monday. After the governor's executive order for all local law enforcement agencies to examine perceptions about policing and policies in a plan due April 1, the Southampton Town Board appointed the law enforcement review committee to "maintain optimal policing, and strengthen trust between the Town of Southampton Police Department and the communities it serves." Committee members include advocacy and civic group representatives, clergy, community members, police professionals, criminal justice experts, and local elected officials.
The online survey is part of the committee's efforts to make recommendations in response to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's order. Though this will not be the only opportunity for the public to weigh in, this input will help it develop its draft plan for the Southampton Town Board.