Applicant says he was removed from police hiring list after notice sent to old email; council asks HR for documents

Buffalo — Sean Elliott III told the Buffalo City Council Committee on Civil Service on Oct. 7 that he was removed from the Buffalo Police Department candidate list after he did not receive a notice that was sent to an old email address. He asked the committee for help getting documents and the chance to present a hearing.

Elliott said he first entered the police hiring process eight years earlier, passed the civil service exam twice and awaited a training class that was postponed in late 2024. He told the committee he updated his contact information in 2024 but was told in August 2025 by HR staff that he had been removed from the list. "She said I should have had received a notice via email," Elliott said. "The notification was sent to my old email even though in 2024, I updated my email with civil service." Elliott told the committee he asked HR for the report cited by the department and that he had also filed a FOIL request to obtain video of a traffic stop mentioned in departmental correspondence.

An HR representative appearing for the department said the removal was not solely a clerical matter and that the police background check included a traffic-stop report and concerns about Elliott's conduct at the stop. The HR speaker said the department had received a report alleging aggressive behavior during the traffic stop and that the report had been forwarded to civil service staff. The HR representative also said she had multiple contacts with Elliott over time and that staff had tried to assist but that the matter included multiple complicating details.

Elliott said he sought to submit additional evidence, including statements from a captain in Niagara County who said he did not recall signing any letter and who the applicant said was investigating the deputy involved. "I knew nothing of it. I was caught off guard," Elliott said about seeing the report. He asked the committee to confirm whether the police hiring portal was being used for communication and requested a meeting to address his case.

Committee members asked HR to provide a written summary and requested a follow-up meeting where council staff, law department representatives and commissioners could review materials that may be confidential. The chair agreed to arrange a meeting and the committee urged HR to re-send requested documents and confirm whether the police hiring portal was being used to notify applicants.

The committee did not decide on Elliott's application in open session; members scheduled follow-up steps and asked staff to coordinate a private briefing to avoid compromising any active personnel matters or investigations.