The DeWitt Police Department, like other agencies in the state, is finalizing their reform plan in response to Gov. Andrew Cuomo's executive order.

Two of the department’s investigators were part of the shooting last week that ended in the death of 17-year-old Judson Albahm, leading some to question the response.

What You Need To Know

  • The DeWitt Police Department is under scrutiny after two officers were involved in the shooting that killed 17-year-old Judson Albahm

  • DeWitt's police chief says officers handled the situation the same way they will in the future

  • The department’s reform plan includes training on implicit bias and crisis intervention training; however, many officers have yet to complete those trainings

But Police Chief Chase Bilodeau says the officers followed procedure. 

“I do think that in general that it would, the file would be pretty consistent how it would’ve been handled in the past and how it will be handled in the future,” said Bilodeau.

Eleven citizens and three elected town board members make up the Town of DeWitt Police Commission, who made sure the new plan fulfills state requirements. 

The community has voiced concerns to the department about the frequency policies are reviewed, rules on use of force, and officer training. 

“The one thing that stuck out to me was a clear desire from the public for us to host an in-person implicit bias training department-wide. That was a clear consensus from the public,” said Bilodeau.

The department is working on making that happen, but for now, officers will take it online. Every officer will also be required to take crisis intervention training.

So far, 13 officers have completed that training. The department hopes all officers will complete it in the next three years. 

“I think the lack that occurs with police and community is the lack of communication a lot of the times, and not having and understanding of both sides. The police is not always [understanding] what the community is feeling, and the community is not always understanding what the police are required to do," said Bilodeau.

"I certainly have found these conversations productive, and I’ve been glad we’ve been able to have them and have positive interactions with the community, because that’s the only way you are going to have a successful police department.”

The department is required to review policies at least once every five years.