BATH, NY (WENY) -- Following recent police reform laws that were passed in New York State, law enforcement in Steuben County have written a letter to residents about the latest rhetoric surrounding police. The letter comes as protests calling for police reform in the wake of George Floyd's death in Minneapolis continue nationwide. It also addresses Governor Andrew Cuomo's recent order saying police departments must adopt reform plans by April 1st or lose state funding. County Sheriff Jim Allard says the order is confusing because almost all policies they follow come from the state and the order is "EXTREMELY VAGUE" and they are awaiting direction for the division of criminal justice services to move forward.

The letter written by law enforcement asks one question to Steuben County residents.

Allard said, ""Asking them to momentary pause and reflect when face with the barrage of rhetoric and the barrage of negative information about law enforcement that is on the highly news everyday or every night. Take a minute and think about the people you know in Steuben County that perform your law enforcement functions in Steuben County and ask yourself. Does that national rhetoric align wit your experience with the police officers you've dealt with in this county?"

Allard also says, no matter what they will always be here for you.

""Just at the end of the day, regardless of the rhetoric. We are still here, we are still here to help and we will continue to be here to help. You know your local police officers, you know what to expect of them and whether it's any of the village or the cities or the town police departments or the sheriff's office in Steuben county. We are all committed to making Steuben county everyday."

Chief of Police Chad Mullen adds having a small department has help keep the issues surrounding big cities away locally.

""Overwhelmingly, as a chief of police or a sheriff out of any police agency you really get to look and go over exactly each person you employ. Not just your police officers, but your civilian staff and everything else."

Allard and Mullen have said they are getting a lot of support from local residents and instead of blaming others there needs to be more compromise.

"There needs to be a lot less blaming and shaming and a lot more coming together, inclusion and sitting down and discussing the actual issues at hand not just trying to point a finger and throw a band-aid as quick as you can," says Allard,