NEWBURGH – The majority of the City of Newburgh’s population is comprised of black and brown residents and the police department is striving to match.
Commissioner Jose Gomerez said they are working toward that goal in the ranks of sworn officers.
“Currently 48 percent of the police department’s sworn officers are from a racial or ethnic minority. Last year hired eight city residents,” he said. “Currently 27 percent of our force are city residents and 78 percent of police offices that we have hired since March 2023 have been from a racial or ethnic minority.”
Gomerez also noted that 18 percent of the cops in Newburgh are women.
The police department has an authorized level of 69 sworn officers and with new hires to fill vacancies, they are working to reach that goal.
