ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – A Virginia consulting firm has been chosen to conduct a racial bias audit of the Albany Police Department. Chief City Auditor Dr. Dorcey Applyrs announced that CNA, based in Arlington, was chosen following an independent review of submitted proposals.
During the audit, the Albany Police Department’s internal operations, policies and procedures will be examined for racial biases and their impact on Albany residents, with a focus on black residents. Data on traffic stops, use of force and other police officer/civilian interactions will be collected and analyzed during the process.
Police compliance with existing police reforms, including; body-worn cameras, Right to Know Identification, and the Albany Civilian Police Review Board, will also be assessed.
“This racial bias audit led by Dr. Applyrs’ team, in addition to the City of Albany’s Police Reform
and Reinvention Collaborative that’s currently underway, will help us ensure we are
implementing the most effective, transparent, and unbiased community policing strategies
possible within the Albany Police Department.I thank Dr. Applyrs and CNA for undertaking this audit and look forward to working with the Office of Audit & Control to review and implement recommendations that will help eliminate any disproportionate impacts of policing on communities of color.”
Mayor Kathy Sheehan
Albany
The final report will contain recommendations to eliminate racial bias in police deployments,
improve transparency, and expand on Albany’s community policing practices to promote better
community engagement.
The audit is part of the requirements local governments must meet under Governor Cuomo’s “State Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative” executive order, which was issued in June. Local government and police agencies who fail to comply with the order, risk losing state and federal funding.
