Newburgh is training new cops, but losing them to higher paying departments

NEWBURGH – The City of Newburgh continues to hire and pay for the training of new police officers, but lose them to higher paying departments.
City Manager Michael Ciaravino told the city council Monday night that just recently three new officers were hired and trained, but already jumped ship for more money. To make matters worse, those three are Spanish-speaking, a plus given the large Hispanic population in Newburgh.
Given the city’s financial situation, council members are between a rock and a hard place as far as police salaries go.
Councilwoman Patty Sofokles said she knows firsthand the value of police officers.
“We have lost 12 to 13 officers just to Spring Valley and sometimes you can’t blame these officers. My son is an NYPD detective; he makes really good money at 33-years-old,” Sofokles said. “They have to be able to support their families and live and that is why I tell everybody when you see a City of Newburgh police officer, thank them for staying and sticking it out.”
Councilwoman Hillary Rayford suggested the city explore the possibility of requiring new officers to commit to serving in Newburgh for a specified time before moving on.