By Avery Gingerich
July 24, 2023
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — The Syracuse Police Department is exploring options to attract more applicants.
The department requested almost $57 million in the proposed 2023-2024 city budget. That’s a million dollar increase from last year. An expected increase in salary for new officers is partially the reason.
Mayor Ben Walsh’s administration has been combatting the shortage of officers for years.
Between 2019-2021, Walsh and the Police Benevolent Association, the police officers’ union, crafted a plan to increase pay for new hires with desired skills and retain experienced officers.
The Common Council rejected the plan due to the estimated cost. An adjusted plan was approved in 2021. Despite that, academy class sizes remain low.
According to police spokesperson Lieutenant Matthew Malinowski, the police department hasn’t filled the expected number of academy seats for the past five years.
Paul James Moore, a lifelong Syracuse resident, said he supports more police officers.
Moore said he watches or interacts with the police daily. Based on his interactions, he said they are important to deal with drug addiction and mental health crises.
Karyn Ehmann, an eight-year resident of Syracuse, said she’s not opposed to more officers on the condition that they come from Syracuse. She believes officers that understand the neighborhoods they serve is essential to better policing overall. She is also supportive of mental health workers joining officers in the field, an effort which began in 2021.
Malinowski, the department spokesperson, said there isn’t conclusive data about what has been effective at attracting recruits. He said at least 30 more officers are expected to retire this year.