ROCHESTER, N.Y. — ​Mayor Lovely Warren on Friday proposed a new $560.8 million budget aimed at expanding pandemic relief programs, addressing police reform, increasing public safety efforts and funding a civilian Police Accountability Board.

The budget would create the position of Public Safety Commissioner, fund the civilian Police Accountability Board and give it autonomy to hire staff and begin investigating allegations of officer misconduct. The budget would also expand the Person in Crisis teams and Victim’s Assistance Unit, fund an Office of Neighborhood Safety and administer a Peacemakers Fellowship for residents who live close to violence.

"We heard our community and understand that it is asking us to change how we do business and that starts with public safety," said Mayor Warren.

In the proposal, the police department's budget is cut by $4.5 million dollars while retaining all 726 current officers.

"I want a police department that is truly focused on keeping our city safe. Not one whose mission is divided by doing work better done by others. That's why this budget invests our resources differently to rpd so rpd can be focused on reducing crime and violence," said Mayor Warren.

Instead, the city is looking to invest $5 million in the Police Accountability Board to allow the agency to be fully staffed.

"My proposed budget provides the funding necessary for the police accountability board to begin its critical of hearing cases and investigating public concerns regarding our police department," said Mayor Warren.

PAB Executive Director Conor Dwyer Reynolds expressed excitment over the proposal and declaring it a victory for Rochestarians. 

"There was a shooting today involving police officers. With a fully funded PAB, you are going to have independent civilian investigators on the scene to talk to witnesses, collect evidence, do all of the things we all need to know to make sure our policing system is working," said Mayor Warren.

Warren also wants to increase accountability by adding a Public Safety Commissioner that first responders will have to report to.

"I believe the PAB, coupled with the Public Safety Commissioner, can work hand-in-glove to bring the highest level of accountability to the police department and to restore the public's confidence," Mayor Warren added.

Spectrum News also reached out to Rochester Locust Club about the proposed RPD budget cut, but they said they weren't ready to comment on it just yet.

Elsewhere, the budget includes a “Buy the Block” initiative to promote home ownership in “historically racially segregated” neighborhoods and creates a Day Laborer program to provide job training for residents.

The proposed budget would keep the tax levy and service fees flat.

To view the budget, visit www.cityofrochester.gov/budget.