Cameron now has council
support
NEWBURGH – A special Newburgh City Council meeting called Tuesday evening to approve the hiring of four temporary police officers to replace four who will retire between now and January turned into an impromptu session in support of acting Police Chief Daniel Cameron.
The lawmakers wanted to know from City Manager Michael Ciaravino the civil service status of appointing a permanent chief since Cameron took the Orange County police chief exam earlier this year, but did not take the city’s exam.
The state has ruled that the qualifications for chief differ between the city and county, but the manager continues to argue in support of Cameron.
That prompted Councilman Terrance Harvey to say he has supported the chief since day one.
“The work of our police department is significant and I really do believe that if we can address the crime in our city, which I believe is the nucleus of our problems, then we can start the corner on revitalization, new homeownership, new businesses, economic stimulus, and some of our infrastructure improvement,” Harvey said.
Councilwoman Cindy Holmes, who in the past has indicated her opposition to appointing Cameron on a permanent basis, said at Tuesday’s session that she supports him, but believes he should have followed the process and taken the city civil service test.
