Governor Cuomo says police departments around the state must submit reform plans by April 1st of next year in order to be eligible for state funding.
He tied civil unrest, rioting, and increasing gun violence to a period of anger following the death of George Floyd, saying there is a "frayed" relationship between communities of color and law enforcement.
Still, he noted that during the recent surge in shootings within New York City and statewide, 90-percent of victims are either African American or Latino.
Cuomo calls it an undeniable reality that police reform is the only way to end the current civil unrest and gun violence.