The death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police in May 2020 had a profound impact on reform efforts nationwide. Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 203 in June 2020 calling on every municipality in New York with a police department to reimagine and reform policing within its jurisdiction in collaboration with stakeholders.  UJP had been advocating for police reform and was the outgrowth of the coalition work that had taken place to ensure the requirements of the DOJ agreement were instituted by SCPD. Our history of working in coalition and our recognition of the value of working together to make an impact facilitated the ease with which we joined forces with Long Island Advocates for Police Accountability (LIAFPA) and Long Island United to Transform Policing & Community Safety. The coalition members committed to share resources and ideas while each maintained their unique mission. The power came from the incredible fact that hundreds of people, young, old, those of different faiths, races, and ethnicities all committed to work together to transform policing. Countless hours of research, collaboration and consultation with various subject-matter experts and community members and stakeholders, culminated in The People’s Plan.  

A broad diversity of groups and individuals, united by a shared vision, now stands in solidarity dedicated to the transformation of policing and are prepared to continue their efforts to achieve police accountability and ensure justice for all.