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Ogdensburg council authorizes hiring two new police officers to meet academy timelines
Summary
Faced with retirements and staffing turnover, the council voted to start hiring two officers immediately; Sgt. Joseph Sanfilippo warned delays could push new officers onto the road only in March 2027 if academy enrollment deadlines are missed.
The Borough of Ogdensburg council voted Sept. 22 to authorize hiring two new police officers to begin the background and academy process.
Sgt. Joseph Sanfilippo told the council that background checks, psychological testing and academy scheduling create a long lead time. "If we don’t hire two guys and get them in the academy in January and we miss that deadline we are not getting anyone in the academy until June of 2026 and we will not be getting anyone on the road until March of 2027," he said.
Why it matters: the council faces imminent staffing gaps after the recent retirement of Patrolman Christopher Geene and the departure of a newly hired officer. Sgt. Sanfilippo said hires must be onboarded 21 days before academy start, and psych testing can take up to 90 days, so the borough must act quickly to maintain police coverage.
Council action and budget note: Councilwoman Lynn Lame moved to approve two new officers; the motion passed unanimously. CFO Mike Marceau said the budget contains funding for at least one hire and the borough can use available budgeted funds to support two hires starting Dec. 1.
Next steps: the chief and sergeant will advertise openings, pursue candidates (including possible waivers for experienced hires), and begin the required pre‑employment screening to meet academy deadlines.
