Cameron – won’t take test
NEWBURGH – The civil service test to be administered next Saturday for police chief in Newburgh will be an “open competitive” exam, not a “promotional” exam and Mayor Judy Kennedy said as a result, acting Chief Daniel Cameron will apparently no longer be chief after the test is process has been completed.
The mayor said on Monday that Cameron, who has been on the city force for some 20 years, most recently as a lieutenant, will not be taking the “open competitive” exam and she is “heartbroken” that he will not be named permanent chief.
“Dan Cameron has done a great job for us this last year and he has probably done more to help heal the community-police relationship that has been broken for so long and the fact that this [civil service] was absolutely inflexible about these rules and they would require five years as a lieutenant and two years for an external candidate is simply unfair,” Kennedy said.
Cameron is expected to resume his permanent rank of lieutenant once the chief selection process has been concluded.
Kennedy said because of the city’s civil service commission, the city is “going to lose a very excellent police chief that is well respected all over the state.” She said the state has faith in the city with Cameron and with his loss as chief, the future of grants is up in the air.
Civil service officials did not respond to requests for comment on Monday.
