Acting Chief
Cameron did not
take the exam
NEWBURGH – Six people took the Newburgh city police chief civil service exam in March and four people passed it, Civil Service Commission Member Thomas Murphy told the commission on Wednesday. The eligibility list will now be certified.
A minimum of three people must have passed for the list to be established. Now, the top three successful candidates will be canvassed to determine their interest in the position.
Mayor Judy Kennedy does not believe there is a need to rush into naming a new chief.
“How soon that has to happen I do not know,” Kennedy said. “I know the city manager’s plate is very full with a whole lot of other issues and I cannot believe this is a hot issue. We currently have an acting chief doing an excellent job.”
Interim Chief Daniel Cameron did not take the test because it was open competitive. He felt that since he had some 20 years on the Newburgh force, he should have been given a promotional exam.
When the new civil service list is canvassed, if three top candidates express interest, the city manager may select any one of those for chief. If there are less than three interested, the list becomes non-mandatory and could result in the administration of a new exam.
There is a whole process to follow now. If the city manager does select one of the passing candidates, that person will have to be interviewed have a background check, negotiate a salary and agree to move into the city. That could take months.
