Auburn Police Chief Matthew Androsko, who assumed leadership of the department in February, discussed his career path, policing priorities, and future goals during an appearance on Inside Government with Guy Cosentino.
Androsko, an 18-year veteran of the Auburn Police Department, described his motivation for seeking the chief’s role as a natural progression after years of service across several divisions, including patrol, the Finger Lakes Drug Task Force, and as head of the school resource officer program.
Reflecting on his time leading the drug task force, Androsko called it his most rewarding assignment, citing the collaboration with multiple agencies to address narcotics and gun-related crimes across the region.
Looking ahead, Androsko said his top priority is shifting the department toward evidence-based policing, using crime analysis to strategically deploy resources based on data. The department is working with the Syracuse Crime Analysis Center and plans to train all officers in evidence-based and hotspot policing by the end of the year.
“We are working to back up what we instinctively knew with hard data,” Androsko said, emphasizing that evidence-based strategies will improve officer deployment and community engagement.
The chief also highlighted two major grant programs supporting the department’s work: the Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) program and the STRIVE initiative targeting domestic violence reduction. Androsko noted that while domestic violence incidents have decreased, they remain a significant portion of police calls, and the department is collaborating with Cayuga Counseling Services and Victim Assistance programs to reduce repeat offenses.
Androsko acknowledged staffing challenges, with the department currently having four vacancies despite hiring five new recruits who are still in training. He noted that about 72% of the department’s officers have less than seven years of service, making Auburn’s force one of the youngest in recent memory. Recruitment remains a struggle, consistent with national trends.
The department continues to rely heavily on body cameras for transparency. While all patrol and detective officers are equipped, Androsko said body cameras are not yet standard for school resource officers, a gap he hopes to address.
In discussing department morale, Androsko stressed the importance of specialized units and career development. He expressed a desire to eventually restore programs such as commercial vehicle enforcement and a K-9 unit once staffing levels stabilize.
Concluding the interview, Androsko said he believes Auburn remains a safe city thanks to the hard work and dedication of its officers.
“We are human, we care, and we are doing the best job possible every day,” he said.
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