>> BEFORE I GET STARTED, THERE IS SOMETHING I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND.

THAT'S ME.

AND DURING THE PRESENTATION, IF YOU WATCH WITH A CRITICAL EYE, YOU'LL QUICKLY UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE THREE AUDIENCES AND I ALWAYS TRY TO BALANCE TO STAY... >> PICTURE A BIG FELLA LIKE MYSELF ON A TIGHT ROPE.

LET'S HAVE THAT AS THE VISUAL.

AND THEN I'M PULLED IN ONE DIRECTION BY MY APPOINTING AUTHORITY, MAYOR BEN WALSH.

HE APPOINTED ME THE JOB.

AND THEN THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT TIGHT ROPE IS THE COMMUNITY.

THEY'RE PULLING IN A CERTAIN DIRECTION ON THINGS THEY EXPECT OF THE CHIEF AND THEN ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT ROPE, IS THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND MY UNION, SPECIAL INTEREST FOLKS.

THEY'RE PULLING IN A DIRECTION.

AT SOME POINT DO-- AT NO POINT DO YOU EVER WANT TO BE AT ODDS WITH TWO OF THE THREE.

>> HE HAS TO MANAGE POLICE REFORM AND THE OPERATIONS OF HIS DEPARTMENT WHILE STILL DOING WHAT THE DEPARTMENT WAS FORMED TO DO: PROTECT THE PUBLIC.

AND THAT IS A DANCE THAT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN.

SO THAT WILL YOU KNOW WHY I'M DOING IT BASS US EVERYTHING THAT I DO, I HAVE TO STAY FOCUSED ON ONE THING IN ORDER FOR ME TO SURVIVE IN THIS ENVIRONMENT.

>> THE THING THAT HAVE I TO FOCUS ON IS DOING THE RIGHT THING.

THAT'S HOW I SURVIVE.

GENUINE OBJECTIVE PEOPLE, EVEN IF THEY DISAGREE WITH YOU, EVEN IF THEY DISLIKE YOU, THEY'LL RESPECT, IF THEY THINK YOU ARE DOING THE RIGHT THING AND YOU WORK FROM A GOOD PLACE.

SO I STAY FOCUSED ON THE TIGHT ROPE.

>> IF I CAN'T MAKE DECISIONS AND HAVE THE COURAGE TO DO WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE THE RIGHT THING UNDER THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES, I'M NOT FIT TO BE YOUR CHIEF.

>> YOU DON'T DESERVE TO BE HERE!

>> POLICE REFORM IS NOT A MOMENT IN TIME.

>> PREFERABLY FOR JUSTICE-- >> ON OUR WORST DAY, THIS IS A NOBLE PROFESSION.

>> ONE HOMICIDE IS TOO MANY IN THIS CITY.

PEOPLE ARE RUNNING AND THEN YOU HEAR GUNSHOTS.

THERE IS A NEW DAY THAT IS COMING IN THE CITY OF SYRACUSE BEYOND MAYING FOR THE TEAR DOWN OF THE AGING VIADUCT THAT SPLITS SYRACUSE IN HALF AND REPLACING IT WITH A COMMUNITY GRID MODEL, BIDEN IS COMMITTING 20 MILLION TO HELP NEIGHBORHOODS.

>> I WAS ONE OF THE FIRST ELECTED OFFICIALS TO SAY LET'S TAKE DOWN 81.

IT HAS REACHED THE END OF ITS LIFE SPAN.

SO IT'S OF NO VALUE TO US.

>> WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY.

I MEAN THIS IS A BIG INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT THAT IS GOING TO BE PAID FOR BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

WHAT WE SHOULD BE THINKING ABOUT IS A MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT IS CREATING SOMETHING THAT IS GRAND, SOMETHING THAT'S STRUCTURAL GENERALLY-- STRUCTURALLY A GAME STOPPER.

>> PRESENTING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR TO US REBUILD THE CITY.

IT GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY FOR JOBS.

NEW HOUSING AND IT WOULD BEGIN TO MAKE THE CITY THE CITY IT CAN BE.

>> WITH I-81 COMING DOWN AND THE CREATION OF THE NEW COMMUNITY GRID TOLD THAT IT IS GOING TO GET THE CITY BACK TOGETHER, IF THERE ISN'T MAJOR POLICE REFORM, IT IS ONLY GOING TO CAUSE MORE PROBLEMS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD BECAUSE YOU ARE GOING HAVE A NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE IT IS GOING TO BE HOPEFULLY A VERY DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD.

AND JUST TO SEE HOW THE POLICE WOULD AJUST ADJUST TO BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR CONTROLLING AN AREA THAT IS NOT COMPLETELY SEGREGATED WOULD BE AN INTERESTING TAKE ON HOW THEY WOULD BEHAVE.

>> OUR APPROACH IN NEGOTIATING THE POLICE CONTRACT WAS TO USE IT AS A MECHANISM TO ADDRESS CHANGES THAT NEEDED TO BE MADE WITHIN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

>> WE HAVE INCREASED THE OFFICERS SALARY AND BENEFITS SO WE ARE COMPETITIVE WITH OUR NEIGHBORS IN CENTRAL NEW YORK.

WE THINK WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED THAT.

IN EXCHANGE, THE UNION AGREED TO A FIVE YEAR RESIDENCY FOR NEWLY HIRED EMPLOYEES.

>> WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH THE PACE OF PEOPLE LEAVING THE DEPARTMENT THROUGH RETIREMENT.

IT WAS IMPORTANT TO USE THE CONTRACT AS A WAY TO RETAIN GOOD POLICE OFFICERS.

WE HEARD A LOT ABOUT WHAT THE COMMUNITY WANTED OUT OF THEIR POLICE CHIEF AND OUT OF THEIR DEPARTMENT.

SO THAT'S WHY WE INCENTIVIZED THINGS LIKE LEARNING NEW LANGUAGES, THAT'S WHY WE INVESTED THROUGH THE CONTRACT IN CONTINUING EDUCATION.

AGAIN, THE WORLD CHANGES.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE CHANGING WITH IT AND THE ONE THING WE HEARD MORE THAN ANYTHING IS THAT PEOPLE WANTED POLICE OFFICERS TO LIVE IN THE CITY.

>> THE COMMON COUNCIL WILL HOLD A SPECIAL MEETING TOMORROW EXPECTED TO VOTE ON THE HIGHLY DEBATED SYRACUSE POLICE CONTRACT.

THIS COMES AFTER SOME MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL DISAGREED OVER THE PROPOSED COST OF THE CONTRACT.

ALL SIDES BELIEVE THE TENTATIVE DEAL WOULD MAKE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT MORE COMPETITIVE BUT SOME WORRY THE CITY JUST CAN'T AFFORD IT.

>> I CAN TELL YOU THIS, THAT IN MY 12th MONTH, BECAUSE DECEMBER 3 WAS A YEAR FOR ME, THE PRACTICES THAT WE HAVE USED IN THE PAST HAVE GOTTEN US INTO THIS POSITION.

AND IF BEE CONTINUE TO PRACTICE WAS WE HAVE DONE, WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO GET WHAT WE HAVE GOTTEN.

>> REGARDING THE POLICE CONTRACT, IT FELT LIKE THE MAYOR NEGOTIATED BY SAYING WE NEED TO GET POLICE RESIDENCY AND WE DON'T CARE WHAT IT COSTS.

THAT WAS THE PUSHBACK TO THE COUNCIL.

THERE ARE COSTS TO THESE THINGS AND WHEN YOU ADD UP MILITARY BENEFIT, EDUCATION BENEFIT, ALL THESE DIFFERENT THINGS, IT ENDS UP BEING LIKE AN 11% RAISE FOR SOME OF THE OFFICERS AND THOSE COSTS ARE REAL, RIGHT?

AND TO THE EXTENT THAT WE ARE SPENDING ALL THIS MONEY IN OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT, IT'S THUNKS THAT WE CAN'T SPEND RESOURCES ON FIBLTIONING OUR ROADS OR NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT OR ANY OF THE THINGS THAT ARE TRUE INVESTMENTS.

IT'S A PHILOSOPHICAL THING FOR THE COUNCIL TO SAY, SHOULD WE BE SPENDING THIS AMOUNT OF MONEY ON OUR POLICE FORCE?

>> HERE WE ARE AT A POINT IN TIME WHERE YOU ALL ARE GOING TO CONSIDER ARE WE AT A POINT AND I CALL IT AN INVESTMENT, I CALL IT AN INVESTMENT, WHERE WE ARE GOING TO INVEST IN THE FUTURE OF WHAT OUR POLICE FORCE SOUNDS LIKE, LOOKS LIKE, LIVES FROM AS LONG AS I'VE BEEN HERE.

OUR COMMUNITY HAS CRIED FOR RESIDENCY.

WE ARE HERE.

>> COUNSELOR.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT, LOCAL LAW APPROVES THE MONEY FOR THE POLICE BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION CONTRACT.

WOULD I LIKE TO INTRODUCE THE LAW BUT I WOULD URGE THE PEOPLE VOTE NO ON THIS ITEM.

IN THE SIMPLEST TERMS, WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY FOR THE CONTRACT.

WITH THAT, I INTRODUCE IT AND I URGE EVERYONE TO VOTE AGAINST IT.

>> ITEM 8A PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

>> YES MADAM PRESIDENT,.

>> COUNSELOR RUDD?

>> NO.

>> COUNSELOR BEY?

>> NO.

>> COUNSELOR GREEN?

>> NO.

>> RESIDENCY WAS ONE OF THE COMPONENTS OF THE NEGOTIATED CONTRACT THAT WAS PRESENTED TO THE COUNCIL.

UNFORTUNATELY IT WASN'T PASSED.

I DON'T THINK RESIDENCY IS AN ISSUE FOR EITHER THE COUNCIL OR FOR US.

THE ISSUES AROUND THE CONTRACT HAD TO DO WITH COSTS AND SO NOW WE ARE ENTERING INTO ARBITRATION AND WE HOPE THROUGH THAT PROCESS TO BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN WHAT WE PROPOSED.

>> I FEEL VERY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT SYRACUSE AND ITS FUTURE, INCLUDING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, SO THE PLRMT WILL HAVE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WILL HAVE A SIGNIFICANT ROLE AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THE CITY REACHES ITS FULL POTENTIAL BUT I'M CONFIDENT THAT WE WILL CERTAINLY BE ABLE TO IMPROVE UPON WHERE WE SIT TODAY.

>> A COMBINATION OF ALL THE GOOD NEWS, WE ARE ACCOUNTABLE FOR OUR OBJECTIONS ACTIONS.

WE WILL FIGHT FOR ALL THAT IS RIGHT AND WE ARE READY.

WE ARE SYRACUSE POLICE ACADEMY.

LET'S DO THIS.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> WHEN YOU ARE WORKING 0 9 STREETS, IT'S A DIFFERENT BALL IMMIGRATION.

THE ACADEMY TAUGHT US THE BASICS AND WHAT WE NEEDED TO DO TO COMPETENT OFFICERS ON THE ROAD.

I THINK THEY DID A FANTASTIC JOB.

BUT ONCE AGAIN, ONCE YOU ARE ON THE ROAD, THERE IS NO CLASSROOM.

THERE NO, SIR OTHER PEOPLE.

-- THERE IS NO OTHER PEOPLE.

YOU HAVE TO LEARN QUICK ON THE STREET.

YOU ARE NOT LOOKING INTO A BOOK.

>> IT COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE THAN THAT.

I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY TIMES I'VE GONE ON ANY CALLS WHERE I WAS JUST REPAIRED JUST BECAUSE-- PREPARED EVEN BECAUSE OF THE LITTLE THINGS, SCENARIO-BASED TRAININGS THEY GAVE US IN THE ACADEMY.

IT'S CRAZE TOE THINK ABOUT THE ACADEMY.

SIX MONTHS, I DON'T THINK THAT'S ENOUGH.

ONCE YOU GET OUT THERE, IT CLICKS.

A SNAP OF THE FINGERS OF I KNOW WHAT TO DO.

LIKE I'M TRAINED FOR THIS.

I GOT THIS.

>> IT'S EVERYTHING I IMAGINED IT TO BE AND MORE.

AND WHAT I MEAN BY MORE IS THAT THE POWER OF DISCRETION, THINKING ON THE FLY AND HIGH STRESS SITUATIONS.

ALSO AS POLICE OFFICERS, WE ARE NOT SUPER WOMAN OR SUPERMAN.

BUT I FEEL AS THOUGH EVERYBODY EXPECTS US TO BE THAT WAY.

BUT YOU ARE ALSO TRYING TO RESPECT PEOPLE'S FREEDOM AND UPHOLD THE LAW THE BEST AS WE POSSIBLY CAN.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF STRUCTURE IN THE ACADEMY, RIGHT, SO THEY HAVE TO BE CERTAIN PLACES AT CERTAIN TIMES.

RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THESE THINGS ALONG THE WAY.

AND THEY HAVE TO GET UP AND THEY HAVE TO WORKOUT OR THEY DON'T PASS.

OR THEY COME AND RUN WITH US AND DO THE DIFFERENT THINGS WITH US AND AT THE END OF THE ACADEMY, I LIKE TO TELL THEM, I HAVE A LITTLE GIFT FOR YOU.

AND HERE'S THE GIFT.

YOU NEVER NEEDED US.

THEY NEEDED US FOR INFORMATION SO WE CAUGHT THEM SKILLS.

BUT AS FAR AS WHO THEY ARE, WHEN THEY WALK OUT OF THE ACADEMY, HOLDING THEIR HEADS UP HIGH AND PROUD OF THEMSELVES AND THEIR PARENTS ARE PROUD OF THEM, THEY DID IT ALL.

THEY WERE JUST RIFFING LIVING IN THE BOX THEY DREW FOR THEMSELVES.

YOU CAN KICK THOSE WALLS DOWN AND BECOME SOMETHING ELSE.

>> I GROUP OF US HAD A PERSON THAT WAS GOING DO JUMP OFF THE BRIDGE AND I GUESS YOU COULD SAY WE DID TRY TO GUIDE THEM AND HELP THEM.

WE DON'T WANT ANYBODY TO LOSE THEIR LIFE.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I DON'T WANT TO PUT MY GUARD DOWN THERE ARE SOMETIMES WHEN SOMEBODY'S LIFE IS AT STAKE OR THROUGH OUR TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE, I THINK SOMETHING BAD IS GOING TO HAPPEN OR IT'S HAPPENING IN FRONT OF ME AND YOU HAVE TO BE THE WARRIOR.

YOU HAVE TO BE THE PERSON TO GET PHYSICAL.

I'M GOING TO PUT MY LIFE FIRST OVER EVERYBODY ELSE'S.

>> I BELIEVE THAT THE GUARDIAN MENTALITY IS STILL IN TACT WITH THE CITY THAT HAS PRETTY MUCH HIGH CRIME RATE, YOU KNOW, GUNS AND EVERYTHING LIKE THAT.

ONLY BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH THOSE THINGS MAY HAPPEN, THE COMMUNITY AND THE POLICE, WE WORK TOGETHER AND WE ARE DEFINITELY TRYING TO BRIDGE THE GAP MORE AND MORE TO PROTECT THE CITIZENS.

THE BUILDING, THE YOUTH AND OURSELVES AS WELL.

SO I FEEL LIKE DUE TO POSITIVE EFFORTS, PROACTIVE EFFORTS TO BRIDGE THAT GAP AS WELL AS ENTERTAINING THE TIME TO GET TO KNOW EVERYONE THAT GUARDIAN MEN TAMENT IS DEFINITELY FOR SURE.

THAT GUARDIAN MENTALITY IS THERE FOR SURE.

>> WE ARE NOT ABLE-- >> JUNE OF 2017, I HAVE BEEN THE ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE CITIZENS REVIEW BOARD.

THE BOARD'S PURPOSE IS TO PROVIDE A OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS IN THE CITY OF SYRACUSE WHO HAVE AN INTERACTION WITH THE SYRACUSE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO FILE A COMPLAINT.

THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF COMPLAINTS THAT THE CRB GETS IS DEMEANOR DURING YOUR INTERACTION.

THAT'S OUR BIGGEST COMPLAINT AND THAT HAS NOT REALLY GONE DOWN.

WE WERE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHETHER OR NOT WE WERE GOING TO CONTINUE TO SUBPOENA OFFICERS TO HEARINGS.

THEY HAVE MORE OF A WARRIOR MENTALITY THAN A GUARDIAN.

I THINK THAT HAS A LOT TO DO WITH TRAINING.

I THINK THAT IT HAS A LOT TO DO WITH THE HEIGHTENED EMOTIONS SURROUNDING POLICE.

THE CULTURE OF THE DEPARTMENT CREATED THAT SEPARATION BETWEEN THE COMMUNITY AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND CREATED THIS US VERSUS THEM MENTALITY AND THAT HAS CARRIED ON.

THE CHANGES THAT ARE CURRENTLY BEING ADDRESSED ARE PROVIDING US WITH MORE INFORMATION THAN WE DID BEFORE.

BEFORE, WE WOULD GET STUFF LIKE, IT WAS HANDLED APPROPRIATELY OR YOU KNOW, CASE WAS CLOSED, LIKE SO WE HAVE BEEN BUILDING ON OUR RELATIONSHIP TO CREATE BETTER TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY BETWEEN THE TWO DEPARTMENTS SO THAT WE ARE BUILDING TRUST.

>> SYRACUSE POLICE ARE WORKING WITHOUT A CONTRACT.

IS THAT AFFECTING MORALE?

YOU ARE HEADING UP NEGOTIATIONS.

HOW CONFIDENT ARE YOU ABOUT A SETTLEMENT?

>> KRISTI, I HAVE BEEN AT THE DEPARTMENT FOR NEARLY 17 YEARS.

THE WORK ENVIRONMENT HAS NEVER BEEN MORE DEPRESSING AND MORALE SO LOW.

THE LACK OF A CONTRACT... >> IF YOU CAN RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU SUPPORT REQUIRING POLICE OFFICERS TO LIVE IN THE CITY.

>> IF I HAD MORE HANDS, I WOULD PUT THEM UP.

>> IF WE AMENDED THE STATE LAW, WOULD YOU SUPPORT THIS AS WELL?

>> I WANT TO MAKE OUR CITY A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE BANT TO LIVE, NO THE WHERE THEY'RE REQUIRED TO LIVE.

>> SYRACUSE CITY HALL AND THE POLICE UNION HAVE A LONG OVERDUE DEAL FOR A NEW CONTRACT AFTER THE COMMON COUNCIL DIDN'T AGREE WITH WHAT THE MAYOR WORKED OUT WITH THE OFFICERS, A STATE ARBITRATOR GOT INVOLVED AND MADE CHANGES.

IN THIS DEAL, THE ARBITRATOR APPROVED THE REQUIREMENT THAT NEW OFFICERS MUST LIVE WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS AND APPROVE PAY INCREASES FOR VETERAN COPS TO RETAIN AND ATTRACT EXPERIENCED OFFICERS AS WELL AS ENCOURAGE MORE OFFICERS TO SEEK LEADERSHIP RANKS.

>> IF WE CAN'T REASONABLY COMPETE WITH OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN AND AROUND OUR AREA, IT WILL BE SIGNIFICANTLY DETRIMENTAL TO OUR CITY.

AND LET'S BE HONEST.

WHEN YOU COMPARE CRIME OF THE CITY OF SYRACUSE IN COMPARISON TO OUR COUNTY, TOWNS AND VILLAGES, THERE IS NO COMPARISON TO WHAT WE ASK OUR OFFICERS TO DO IN COMPARISON TO WHAT THE OTHER COMMUNITIES DO.

SO I WANTED TO BE ON A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD WHERE WE ARE RECRUITING INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED IN THIS PROFESSION AND I THINK THIS CONTRACT HAS GIVEN US THAT.

I THINK IT IS WORTH IT.

IT IS THOUGHT CHEAP.

BUT I CAN TELL YOU THE KIND OF WORK THAT WE PROVIDE, I THINK THAT THESE OFFICERS HAVE EARNED EVERY DIME OF IT.

S. >> A MAN WITH A GUN WAS BY THE HOUSE.

>> WE END TONIGHT WITH AN EXTRAORDINARY YOUNG POLICE OFFICER.

HE IS DETERMINED TO IMPROVE RELATIONS BETWEEN COPS AND KIDS AND THE BEST WAY TO DO THAT, HE BELIEVES, IS ONE ON ONE.

>> I WORK FOR THE SYRACUSE PLARM AND IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN, I'M OFFERING A CHALLENGE.

ONE ON ONE BASKETBALL GAME.

FIRST PERSON TO STORE WINS.

IF I SCORE ON YOU, YOU GOT TO GIVE ME 20 PUSHUPS ON DEMAND RIGHT THEN AND THERE IN FRONT OF EVERYBODY ON CAMERA.

>> ON CAMERA?

>> IF YOU SCORE ON ME WHICH IS POSSIBLY NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN BUT IF YOU SCORE ON ME, I'LL TAKE YOU TO THE MALL AND BUY YOU WHATEVER PAIR OF SNEAKERS YOU WANT.

>> BRANDON HANKS, A YOUNG MAN I'VE KNOWN SINCE HE WAS EIGHT YEARS OLD.

HE GREW UP RIGHT IN THE HEART OF THE SOUTH SIDE WHERE THINGS HAPPEN.

>> OFFICER HANKS GREW UP LIKE A LOT OF KIDS HE KNEW.

FEARFUL OF THE POLICE.

>> THE ONLY TIME I EVER REALLY SAW THEM IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN IS SOMEBODY WAS GOING TO JAIL OR GETTING ARRESTED OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

>> HE'S A ROLE MODEL.

EVERYBODY LOOKS UP TO HIM, EVEN ADULTS.

HE IS ON THE NATIONAL NEWS BUT HE IS YOUNG, AFRICAN-AMERICAN, A POLICE OFFICER, A CLOJ GRADUATE AND THAT'S-- A COLLEGE GRADUATE AND THAT'S WHAT OUR KIDS NEED TO SEE.

WHAT COLOR SHOES DO YOU WANT?

>> WHITE, BLACK, BLUE, RED.

RIGHT NOW THE NORM PROBABLY ISN'T I GOT TO BE A POLICE OFFICER.

I WANT TO BE A POLICE OFFICER.

I WANT TO BE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THE NORM IS PROBABLY I SHOULDN'T BE AROUND POLICE OFFICERS.

I THINK WHAT I'M DOING RIGHT NOW IS TRYING TO CHANGE THAT NARRATIVE.

>> L.A. LAKER IS DONATING 25 PACER OF SNEAKERS FOR THE SYRACUSE POLICE BASKETBALL CHALLENGE.

>> THE IMPACT OF BRANDON HANKS HAS BEEN THAT IT HAS ILLUMINATED THE MANY THINGS THAT POLICE OFFICERS DO DAY IN AND DAY OUT THAT OFTEN GO UNKNOWN BY THE PUBLIC.

IT WAS SOMETHING THAT WE VERY MUCH NEEDED.

>> FOR HIM TO BE WHERE HE IS, YOU KNOW, IS AMAZING.

>> OFFICER BRANDON HANKS JUST FILED A CLAIM SAYING HE WAS DENIED A PROMOTION TO A SPECIALTY UNIT AFTER A CAPTAIN PUT IN WRITING THAT HANKS WAS GANG AFFILIATED, NARCOTICS TRAFFICKER AND LISTENS TO "RAP MUSIC" WHAT MY DEPARTMENT DID WAS CAST ME OFF AS A GANG MEMBER OR GANG AFILL GREATED BECAUSE I LIKE TO PLAY BASKETBALL WITH KIDS AND I'M INVOLVED IN MY COMMUNITY.

ONE THING I WANT TO TELL YOU GUYS HERE, DON'T LET NOBODY TELL YOU OR PICK ON YOU OR TRICK YOU OUT OF YOUR SPOT, OKAY?

BE WHO YOU ARE.

AND PROVIDE FOR YOUR COMMUNITY.

WE ARE BANKING ON HE IS NOT GOING TO BE ELIGIBLE TO BE THE CHIEF OF POLICE.

HE HAS 12 MONTHS TO BE CERTIFIED THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES TO COMPLETE PHYSICAL TRAINING.

PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT AND WE DON'T THINK HE IS GOING TO BE CAPABLE OF GETTING ALL OF THIS DONE TO BE QUALIFIED COME DECEMBER.

>> POLICE CHIEF KENTON BUCKNER WILL REMAIN CHIEF BUT AS A CIVILIAN.

BUCKNER DIDN'T PASS PART OF THE PHYSICAL TEST FOR POLICE OFFICER CERTIFICATION IN NEW YORK ADMITTING HE IS UNABLE TO RUN A MILE AND A HALF IN THE REQUIRED TIME.

>> I DO NOT FEEL IT IMPACTS MY ABILITY TO LEAD THE DEPARTMENT.

THE JOB I DID THE TWO YEARS WHILE I WAS GOING THROUGH THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS, I WAS ABLE TO DO THE JOB DURING THAT PERIOD.

I WAS ALSO THE PERSON THAT WALKED IN AND BEGAN MAKING THE CHANGES AND ASSESSMENTS THAT I BEGAN ON DAY ONE, NONE OF WHICH REQUIRED SOME OF THE THINGS THAT ARE DONE IN OUR CERTIFICATION PROCESS.

>> THE UNION MEMBERSHIP SPOKE AND VOICED THEIR PREFERENCE IN THE FORM OF AN ELECTION.

AND THEY DID NOT RE-ELECT JEFF PIEDMONT AND ELECTIONED MORAN AS THE CURRENT PRESIDENT.

WHAT THE CHIEF IS COMMITTED TO IS MAINTAIN A RELATIONSHIP BY WHICH THEY DON'T HAVE TO AGREE, BUT BY WHICH THEY CONTINUE TO COME TO THE TABLE.

>> FIRST, I APPRECIATE JEFF'S TENURE.

I BELIEVE HE WAS IN THE POSITION 26, 27 YEARS.

IT IS NO QUESTION THAT WE GOT OFF TO A ROCKY START.

>> A BIG CROWD LINING THE STREETS TO WATCH THE PARADE BUT WALK AGO LONG THE GREEN PAINTED ROAD, A MUCH SMALLER GROUP REPRESENTING SYRACUSE POLICE.

ONLY AROUND 20 OFFICERS MARCHED THIS YEAR.

IT'S A MUCH DIFFERENT NUMBER FROM THE CLOSE TO 100 IN THE PAST.

CHIEF KENTON BUCKNER BLAMES THE LACK OF INTEREST ON INTERNAL ISSUES AND SAYS IT DIDN'T COME AS A SURPRISE.

THERE HAS BEEN A LACK OF SUPPORT BY THE NEW CHIEF BY SOME OFFICERS WHO EXPRESSED THEY FEEL DISRESPECTED BY HIM.

>> AS FAR AS PRESIDENT MORAN IS CONCERNED WE HAVE HAD DISAGREEMENTS AND WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HANDLE AND ADDRESS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS BUT OVERALL THE RELATIONSHIP HAS BEEN MUTUALLY RESPECTFUL AND PRODUCTIVE.

>> HAVE YOU ASKED HIM YET IF HE WILL WALK WITH YOU IN THE NEXT ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE?

>> I HAVE NOT ASKED THAT QUESTION.

ONE OF THE THINGS ABOUT LEADERSHIP, AT TIMES IT CAN BE A VERY LONELY PLACE.

SO IF, DEBT AT THE TIME OF THE ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE, THEY DECIDE THEY'RE NOT GOING TO MARCH WITH ME, YOU CAN SEE I HAVE NO PROBLEM MARCHING WITH A FEW GOOD RINDZ THAT WILL MARCH WITH ME.

A FEW GOOD FRIENDS.

>> CHIEF BUCKNER WAS IN OUR ACADEMY CLASS.

A LOT OF THE SENIOR OFFICERS SAY THINGS HAVE CHANGED BUT WE DON'T KNOW ANY DIFFERENCE BECAUSE WE ARE COMING IN AS THINGS ARE CHANGING.

>> MORALE, IT HAS BEEN A LITTLE BIT OF A ROLLER COASTER.

FOR ME PERSONALLY, I'M JUST SO GLAD TO BE HERE AND I WANT TO DO MY JOB AND I WANT TO BE GOOD AT MY JOB.

>> POLICE OFFICER SHAQUILLE MU HAM ADD.

>> I THINK HE IS A GOOD FACE TO CHANGE THE DEPARTMENT.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE IN HIS SHOES OR TO MAKE CERTAIN DECISIONS HE MAKES.

>> I FEEL LIKE AS FAR AS BEING TRANSPARENT AND EVERYTHING LIKE THAT, HE HAS BEEN TRANSPARENT.

>> WE THE JURY IN THE ABOVE ENTITLED MATTER COUNT ONE, UNINTENTIONAL MURDER.

THIS VERDICT AGREED TO THE 20th DAY OF APRIL, 2021 AND 1:44:00 P.M. >> I WATCHED IT AND LIKE MOST PEOPLE, IRWAS ON EDGE.

I SAID PUBLICLY IT WAS NOT GOOD THAT WE WERE SITTING ON THE EDGE OF OUR SEAT WONDERING WHAT THE OUTCOME WOULD BE BECAUSE WHEN WE WATCHED WHAT WE WATCHED, THE FACT THAT WE WOULD HAVE DOUBT, WE WOULD HAVE DOUBT THAT SOMEONE WOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THAT, THAT'S WHY YOU SEE PEOPLE IN THE RAGE THAT YOU SEE THEM IN.

THAT'S WHY YOU SEE PEOPLE WITH THIS MISTRUST OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

WHEN THEY FEEL LIKE THEY'RE BEING OPPRESS BECAUSE TOO OFTEN THEY'VE WATCHED SIMILAR VIDEOS AND NO ONE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

I CERTAINLY BELIEVE THAT CASE RESULTED IN POSITIVE AS IT RELATES TO TRUST IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

>> IT HAS BEEN A JOURNEY.

YOU CAN TELL PEEL ARE WORN DOWN FROM WHAT HAS BEEN GOING ON IN THE PAST YEAR OR TWO BUT IN THE END, CHIEF BUCKNER AND EVERYBODY ELSE, WE JUST WANT TO DO THE BEST WE CAN AND WE WANT TO DO IT FOR EVERYBODY.

SO-- >> IT'S DIFFICULT TO SAY THAT CHIEF BUCKNER CAME IN AND HE HAS CHANGED THE CULTURE OF THE DEPARTMENT.

HE HAS DISCIPLINED OFFICERS MORE , BUT AS WE KNOW, IT TAKES A LONG TIME FOR A WALL TO COME DOWN.

SO WHEN YOU HAVE BEEN ASKING IN A PARTICULAR MANNER FOR YEARS, DECADES AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE, THAT DOES NOT CHANGE IN ONE DAY.

>> KENTON BUCKNER IN THE ROLE OF POLICE CHIEF HAS UNEQUIVOCALLY FULFILLED THE ROLE THAT THE MAYOR AND I EXPECTED TO BE A CHANGE AGENT FOR THE SYRACUSE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND HOW WE DO BUSINESS IN THE CITY OF SYRACUSE.

YOU MIGHT BE SURPRISED I DON'T LOSE A LOT OF SLEEP ON THE JOB BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE I'M DOING THE RIGHT THING.

WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE SERVING YOUR PURPOSE, WHAT MAY BE STRESSFUL TO YOU OR SOMETHING YOU CAN'T STOMACH THAT IS A PURPOSE FOR ME IS DIGESTIBLE BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE I'M IN MY LANE AND THE REASON THAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REACH THE PINNACLE OF THIS PROFESSION IS I ACTUALLY LOVE WHAT I DO FOR A LIVING, DESPITE THE FRUSTRATIONS AND THE STRESS AND THE THINGS THAT I GO THROUGH, I STILL LOVE THE WORK.

AND I HAVE TOLD THIS STORY MANY TIMES IF IT'S TRUE WITH THE ADAGE OF NINE LIVES AND I'VE LOST EIGHT OF THEM AND I COME BACK ON MY NINTH, WOULD I CHOOSE TO BE A POLICE OFFICER.

IF YOU HAVE THAT KIND OF TRUE GENUINE LOVE OF WHAT YOU ARE DOING, YOU ARE PROBABLY GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL AT IT.