Systemic racism the real problem with Troy police

The article “Plans to add police restarts debate,” April 26, stops short of telling the full story about the proposal to hire six new Troy police officers and assign them to community policing.

Those of us who oppose the proposal completely understand and appreciate the need for a kinder and gentler form of policing. In fact, we believe we understand that better than do Troy’s public officials.

Our community just completed the process that resulted in Mayor Patrick Madden’s submission of a report laying out a plan to comply with Executive Order 203. That process consisted of several public forums and online meetings with a “collaborative group.” I attended those events, and not one person mentioned the need for additional police officers. Overwhelmingly, the comments focused on systemic racism in the Troy Police Department and the need for anti-racism training for the existing force.

Everyone is in favor of community policing but feels that most, if not all, current officers should be so trained. In fact, the proposal to hire additional officers is an admission that the current force has failed in this regard.

The real issue in Troy is systemic racism in the department, something that the police chief continues to deny. Providing anti-racism training would most certainly include community policing. That is the answer, not hiring additional officers.

Bob Blackmon Troy Justice Center of Rensselaer County