PLATTSBURGH — City Hall is making an accelerated effort to find its next police chief.
Mayor Wendell Hughes announced advertisements Wednesday seeking applicants for the Plattsburgh City Police Department’s highest ranking position, with a deadline to apply on Jan. 31 at 4 p.m.
According to the advertisement, “the City of Plattsburgh is seeking an experienced and visionary leader to head its Police department that serves a city population of approximately 19,000.”
“The Police Chief is responsible for all daily operations of the department, including training, building plan review, preparing and presenting annual and five-year capital budgets, and working with the Mayor and Council to develop a long-range plan to modernize the department and ensure it meets and exceeds residents’ needs.”
HUGHES PRIORITY
It comes as no surprise that Hughes, who took office Jan. 2, has made finding the city’s next police chief a quick priority.
The department’s most recent police chief, Peter Mitchell, retired in September of 2024 after less than a year in the position. Since then, the department has been without a chief.
Hughes has long been adamant that the Police Department, finding a permanent chief to lead it, and increasing public safety in the community would be among his top priorities as mayor.
“I just want somebody that’s strong, community oriented, that sees today’s policing,” Hughes told the Press-Republican in a sit-down interview before he was elected.
“Today’s policing involves mental health. I mean, there’s so many different aspects of policing in today’s world, it’s a tough job and … we need a strong leader to lead. We have some really good, young officers down there and a strong leader is imperative to have.”
JOB DETAILS
Minimum qualifications for the job include:
— Two years of experience as a police lieutenant or police captain.
— The candidate also must be able to work effectively with organized labor and actively participate in contract negotiations.
Minimum promotional qualifications are:
—Candidates must be permanently employed in the Plattsburgh City Police Department and must be currently holding a permanent, competitive class position for four months as a police lieutenant or as a police captain within the City Police Department.
— The successful candidate should have excellent communications and interpersonal skills.
—The candidate also must be able to work effectively with organized labor and actively participate in contract negotiations.
Special requirements for the job include:
“No one shall be appointed as a Police Chief unless he or she has previously been appointed as a police officer from an eligible list established according to merit and fitness as provided by Section Six of Article Five of the Constitution of the State of New York and in accordance with Civil Service Law, Section 58 1-b, or who has previously served as a member of the New York State Police or New York Police Department.”
The salary ranges from $88,508.34 to $118,542.72.
Those interested should forward a letter of interest, resume and completed Civil Service application to:
City of Plattsburgh
Police Chief Search
Office of the Mayor
41 City Hall Place
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
carlinb@cityofplattsburgh-ny.gov
Applications can be found at tinyurl.com/mftzxerh
Email Carly Newton: cnewton@pressrepublican.com Twitter: @CarlySNewton