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ROC Clergy Push For Police Officers To Wear Body Cameras

CBS Philly

The relationship between Rochester police and city residents continues to deteriorate. That's according to Reverend Lewis Stewart, the head of the United Christian Leadership Ministry.  He says a "Ferguson Missouri is brewing" here in Rochester.

"City council and the mayor they need to act now to avoid any explosion that could come about in the immediate future.”

Last week, a video went viral on social media criticizing the Rochester Police Department for using excessive force when trying to arrest a Rochester man. Mayor Warren and the Rochester Police Chief are investigating the incident.

Stewart and clergy members met on Monday to push city council members and Mayor Warren to purchase body cameras for police officers to wear.

"This is important because personal body camera will hold the police accountable and present pertinent viewing data on contact and interactions between police and community members. Therefore the UCLM and the coalition for police reform will push for a community safety act legislation, which needs to be implemented with all dire haste.”

Clergy members are also calling for an improved independent civilian review board with subpoena power and investigative authority.

Stewart says if city council doesn’t act, they will ask the federal government to step in to help with police relations.

The Mayor has  implement  a Clergy on Patrol walk, where pastors and ministers go around city neighborhoods with police officers to talk with residents and help build relationships. Stewart says the effort is "good on paper," and that clergy should remain independent from the police.

The the United Christian Leadership Ministry plans to hold a community forum on policing on Thursday, Oct. 2 at the Inner Faith Gospel Tabernacle Church on York Street.