Binghamton Swears in Most Diverse Class of Police Recruits
The City of Binghamton’s latest additions to the police force are the most diverse class ever.
Outgoing Binghamton Mayor Richard David November 1 swore in his last group of seven recruits that includes three persons of color and one female.
In light of the Black Lives Matter movement last year, former Governor Andrew Cuomo mandated municipalities come up with plans to modernize and diversify their law enforcement efforts and police force.
Binghamton’s Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative plan was submitted to the state in March 2021.
In addition to education and training, the Binghamton plan outlined efforts to recruit more officers that better reflect the makeup of the population.
The City hired Retired Binghamton Police Officer Charles Woody Junior as the new Director of Community Outreach and Recruitment.
The road, however, has not been a smooth one with the City being sued over allegations of racism and discrimination in the Police Department.
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