In June, Gov. Andrew Cuomo called on law enforcement agencies and local government officials to develop ways to reform or "reinvent" policing in the wake of the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer with plans in place by next year. 

Now after shootings in New York City and upstate communities this summer, Cuomo on Monday reiterated the need for changes.  

Cuomo released a letter to law enforcement agencies and 500 localities with jurisdiction over police urging them to begin the process now of finding ways to improve policing. 

"We have to address the tensions and lack of trust between our communities and the law enforcement that serves them. I am sending a letter to 500 jurisdictions, explaining that it is imperative that we address this urgent crisis," Cuomo said. 

"I understand it's complicated. I understand it's difficult. But people are dying. New Yorkers do not run from a crisis - this is a time for leadership and action. Local elected officials must work together with the community and their police forces, to develop and implement reforms for a safer, fairer policing standard."

Cuomo has tied state aid to those plans being place by April 1, the start of the state's fiscal year.

In the letter, Cuomo stressed the "collaborative" nature of the push for change that includes community members as well as the police and review of the department's current policies and practices. 

"It would be a mistake to frame these discussions as an adversarial process or an effort to impose top-down solutions," Cuomo said. "Issues must be aired but solutions must be crafted."