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Middletown police report multiple resignations, hires and a rescheduled recruitment exam
Summary
The police chief told commissioners about recent resignations, a retirement, a transfer in progress, completed field training for a new officer, dispatch hires, and a police exam rescheduled because of weather.
The Middletown Police Department is managing several personnel changes as it fills vacancies and continues recruitment, the police chief told the police commission on April 17.
The chief reported five current sworn vacancies, leaving 70 sworn officers in a department budgeted for 75 full-time sworn positions. Two recent academy graduates—Officer Rivera and Officer Diaz—are in field training. Officer Jonathan Gay completed field training and was placed on patrol on April 11.
Recent departures include Kelly Conklin, who resigned effective March 25 to accept a police officer position with the Dobbs Ferry Police Department, and Detective DeYoung, who retired; the chief said DeYoung has expressed interest in returning as a part-time officer and that the chief would consult the mayor and clerk about reappointment and swearing-in procedures.
Officer Christopher Uvin is pursuing a transfer to the Naples, Florida, police department, the chief said. Two dispatchers, identified as Nicole and Eric Hunter, have resigned because they are entering police academies (Nicole with the town of Crawford and Hunter with the city of Port Jervis). The department offered one dispatch position to a candidate who will begin May 5; two other dispatch candidates are scheduled for interviews.
Recruiting details: About 260 people signed up for the department’s upcoming police exam; a preliminary cram course drew about 60 participants. A scheduled physical-agility test on April 12 was postponed due to snow and rescheduled for April 26; the chief said roughly 25 candidates were expected to attend the makeup test. The chief said the department’s contract allows up to six part-time officers but the current year’s budget includes funding for one part-time position; he said he would revisit the budget if more part-time hires were needed.
The chief also told commissioners that Sergeant Rich Ruggino and Lieutenant Eric Hargett helped notify candidates of the rescheduled agility test. Commissioners did not take public votes on personnel hires during the meeting; personnel matters were later moved to executive session.
