Neighbors can expect different interactions with Syracuse police officers in the coming months.

“This is essential to begin to shift the culture towards a customer service, customer relations types of approach,” said Yusuf Abdul-Qadir, the director of the New York Civil Liberties Union Central New York chapter.

Abdul-Qadir and other advocates have been pushing for “Right to Know” law for nearly two years. The Syracuse Common Council passed the legislation Tuesday in a 7-1 vote.

Councilor Chol Majok says it’s a win for both the community and officers, and he hopes the move will improve their relationships.

“Where community members are able to rely on the officers and when people are able to rely on officers, it’s a comfort to officers, doing a job comfortably,” said Majok, "and to also have confidence in the people they serve.”

The law has three protocols: Officers must identify themselves by name, rank, and command, and give a reason for the stop.

If it doesn’t end in an arrest or summons, the officer must give a business card which will include the contact information for the internal affairs unit and Citizen Review Board.

Officers are required to ask and receive consent to search a person or property if they don’t have a warrant, and it must be recorded. Lastly, the department has to provide quarterly reports on its website about the searches and refusals.

“We hope and expect rather that the administration and the police chief will be forthcoming in publicizing those procedures and protocols,” said Abdul-Qadir. “We’re trying to create a new type of experience where there’s an air of transparency.”

Abdul-Qadir says this is just the first step to transform the policing landscape. He and other activists will continue to push for other types of reform as well.

The Right to Know law goes into effect December 14.