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"With suburban police departments you can engage in more role-playing scenarios because they’re smaller, but any time you can use training that unfolds in real time, it’s really helpful," says Ortiz. "But whatever firearms policy they use, there needs to be an emphasis placed on strengthening community-oriented policing."
After the hearings have concluded later this year, the Council will then issue its report and make recommendations to Commissioner Kelly. Vallone hopes that the proceedings will have long-term impact, which he argues requires some patience despite the heated atmosphere of the Bell case. "This isn’t just about performing our oversight duties here, we’re trying to improve relations between the police and the city," he says. "It’s going to take some time to ensure that whatever changes need to happen inside the police department take place."
