The City of Newburgh plans to move forward without a police commissioner. The position will remain unfunded and not be filled at this time. An open discussion on the future of the position was held during the Newburgh City Council’s July 18 work session.

Former Police Commissioner José A. Gomérez resigned after three years of service, with his final day on June 7. Gomérez was the second leading officer from the police department to leave, following the departure of former chief Anthony Geraci.

Geraci took a position with the Newburgh Enlarged City School District, leading to the appointment of Brandon Rola as the newest chief. The commissioner position was posted on the city website for applicants, with the final day to apply being June 30.

During the work session discussion, City Manager Todd Venning clarified that the commissioner position is fully funded in the 2024 city budget. The discussion was mainly to gauge the council’s thoughts on the matter.

Each of the council members spoke on the position and its future.

“I understand the purpose and the meaning behind getting this position, and I am okay with that position remaining, but I don’t believe it is feasible to fill at this time,” said Councilwoman Giselle Martinez. “I think it would be better to support the personnel on-board now and move forward without the position.”

“I don’t want to fill it at this time, if I’m being honest. I want to see the chief in his role leading the department,” said Councilman Robert McLymore, who himself is a police officer in the Town of Wallkill.

“I’d like to just hold off on this. I believe Chief Rola came up through the ranks, and I’d like to give him a chance,” added Councilwoman Ramona Monteverde.

Councilman Omari Shakur reflected on the death of George Floyd and other deaths involving police departments. “A commissioner is a safety valve to ensure our police department does their job,” said Shakur. “I feel better with a commissioner in place.”

“We can keep the commissioner as a budgeted item and consider its use for the future, but I think for now, the leadership of the chief going forward makes the most sense,” said Councilman Bob Sklarz.

“I definitely don’t think the commissioner position should be filled. The chief we have now has come up through the ranks. I just don’t think we need a police commissioner,” said Councilwoman Patty Sofokles.

“I wish my colleagues on the city council wouldn’t do a comparative analysis between a commissioner and a chief because they have different jobs. We put that position in to reimagine police departments,” said Mayor Torrance Harvey. “The police commissioner is more administrative in my view, and the police chief is operational.”

At the conclusion of the discussion, Venning noted that the council did not want to fill the position but, at the same time, did not want to eliminate it. He said he would be in contact with the city’s finance department to let them know the position would be unfunded and future interviews would be suspended. If the commissioner position is to be included in the 2025 budget, he asked council members to inform him about the change.