Dozens of residents at the Binghamton City Council business meeting on July 30 urged the council to seek removal of Police Chief Joe Zakowski, citing recent video and longstanding complaints about racial bias and misconduct. Council members said the chief is on administrative leave and that the city has retained an independent investigator with a target timeline of about 30 days; the council also confirmed that the final report will be made public.

The public comments came during the meeting’s public-comment period and focused on the same incident and broader allegations about the police department’s culture. Kenneth Brown, a West Side resident, recited salary figures for the chief and said, “We pay the guy a $152,000 a year.” Raveau Root, who said they work in the city, told the council, “Joe’s gotta go.” Andy Prigas, who identified himself as a resident and president of Justice NED for the Southern Tier, urged removal and described long-term racial disparities in arrests and jail admissions that he traced in part to Zakowski’s leadership.

Why this matters: commenters linked a circulating video and the department’s handling of the incident to deeper allegations of racialized policing and a culture of impunity. Council member Rathmill told the room the city has retained an independent investigator and said, “The target timeline for that investigation is approximately 30 days,” and that the council has confirmed the final report will be made public. Rathmill and other council members emphasized that while the council and community can press for accountability, the mayor has the final authority to bring charges or impose discipline.

Supporting details and council response: Multiple speakers told the council they want a community-led process for selecting a replacement if charges or disciplinary action lead to a vacancy. Mary Clark, a Laurel Avenue resident, urged the council to “engage the community to be part of the process” for selecting future leadership. Several commenters referred to historical complaints, lawsuits and internal reports they said were ignored over many years. Dr. Bob, a South Side resident, told the council it has “assured us that there’s nothing to be done other than generate more reports,” and urged Council members to consider stronger, direct leverage.

What the city said: Council members confirmed the administrative leave status and the retention of an independent investigator. Rathmill noted there are “a handful of things that might be out of the city’s control,” referenced civil-service rules and the local civil service commission’s role, and said public comment and community pressure can influence the mayor’s decision on discipline. Council members Murray and others said they heard and are considering the public’s calls for a different, more community-centered process.

No formal disciplinary action by the council was recorded at the meeting; comments and council statements described the ongoing investigation and procedural limits. Council members encouraged continued public engagement and said they would relay the community’s concerns to the mayor’s office.

Ending: The city’s independent investigation remained underway with the stated 30-day target; the council said it would make the final report public and that any final disciplinary action falls to the mayor’s office.