Kenton Buckner, Syracuse’s new police chief, called on city residents to work with the Syracuse Police Department to combat violence and increase diversity at a Q&A forum on Saturday.

Mayor Ben Walsh announced on Friday that he chose Buckner, currently the chief of police in Little Rock, Arkansas, to lead the SPD as current Chief Frank Fowler retires. Buckner said his first priority as chief will be to end the recent gun violence in Syracuse, but he stressed that city residents must do their part in addressing the issues facing their communities.

“I cannot do anything alone,” Buckner said. “If you expect the police department to be successful by itself, you will be significantly disappointed.”

If a resident asks him what he’s doing to address an issue, Buckner said he will ask them what they are doing to help solve the issue. Everyone has to be engaged in reaching the solution, he said.

Buckner said he will focus on intelligence-led policing and hotspot enforcement in locations where there is a saturation of violent crime. Little Rock has experienced a 15 percent decrease in overall crime during Buckner’s last year as police chief, according to a press release from Walsh’s office.   

Buckner currently oversees 600 police officers at the Little Rock Police Department. Syracuse has 382 officers. Molly Gibs | Photo Editor

He said the police department needs to avoid a “net fishing mentality,” where officers go into a community assuming that all residents are criminals.

“We need to know the difference between people who are problems and the people who are trying to help address those problems,” Buckner said to applause from the crowd.

People asked Buckner questions for most of the forum. Many city residents expressed concern about a lack of diversity in the police force, and said they see bias in how officers police their communities.

“If you look at the Syracuse Police Department and you don’t see a lot of people who look like you, you have a responsibility to help me recruit quality candidates who you would be proud to call a Syracuse police officer,” Buckner said.

Linda Brown-Robinson, president of the Syracuse and Onondaga County NAACP, asked Buckner if he would help people of color prepare for the necessary evaluation test. Bucker said SPD would administer mock tests for qualified candidates and help those with limited educational backgrounds prepare for the test. He will also begin mandatory diversity training for officers, he added.  

Mayor Ben Walsh said one of the qualities that set Buckner apart from other candidates is his accountability for his officers’ conduct. Molly Gibbs | Photo Editor

Walsh said at the forum that when he campaigned for mayor last year, many city residents said they wanted the police force to better reflect the diversity of their communities. During Buckner’s time in Little Rock, 40 percent of hires, promotions and transfers have been people of color, according to the release.

“He has a plan. That was one of the first impressions that I had when he came in,” Walsh said. “He understood that he has a lot to learn in Syracuse, but he knows what works.”

Buckner also has a track record of being accountable, Walsh said.

In situations where he has to decide whether an officer had used excessive or necessary force, Buckner said he will do what he thinks is right, regardless of what the mayor, city residents or the Syracuse Police Benevolent Association say.

A woman in the audience asked Buckner for examples of how he would work with the community.

Buckner said he supports youth intervention programs where adults can mentor kids who don’t have strong parental guidance. He also said the city needs to do a better job helping ex-felons find jobs and re-enter society once they leave prison.

Agnes McCray, a community activist who advocates for disability rights, raised concern about how a “see something, say something” policy can be used to target people with disabilities because they are seen as not belonging in public spaces.

Buckner said “see something, say something” is part of a strong public safety program. He said that while he recognizes many people distrust police, he will teach officers to avoid the biases and prejudices of others.

He said when a police officer realizes a person doesn’t pose a threat, the officer should back off and avoid escalating the situation.  

Buckner said he will transition from Little Rock to Syracuse in the next two to four weeks. He will officially take over as police chief at the end of 2018.

Published on November 3, 2018 at 9:49 pm

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