Another full-time officer left the Palmyra Police Department during the week of Nov. 2, according to the Palmyra Village Police Benevolent Association, which says the departure adds to concerns about staffing and police coverage.
In a community statement, the association also said it is pursuing legal action over union recognition, accusing the Village Board of refusing to recognize it as the bargaining representative for its members.
Residents’ questions remain unconfirmed
The PBA said residents have approached its members over several weeks with questions about the department’s future. It explicitly cautioned that it was not confirming the rumors residents had raised.
Those questions include whether school resource officer coverage for the school district could end in the new year and whether the village is selling police equipment in anticipation of potentially closing the department.
Residents have also asked whether staffing has fallen to three officers: an officer in charge and two patrol officers. The association presented that number as a community question, rather than a confirmed staffing count.
The PBA separately reported the full-time officer’s departure during the week of Nov. 2. It said the loss raises concerns about maintaining adequate coverage and the long-term stability of police services in the village.
Association cites recognition dispute
The association said it has not had an opportunity to formally address those concerns with the Village Board. It linked that difficulty to the unresolved dispute over recognition as members’ bargaining representative.
- Canandaigua fire chief seeks four more firefighters at second budget workshop
- Cayuga County forum to examine paying volunteer firefighters as staffing pressures grow
- Cayuga County sets tax-cap hearing as $201 million budget proposes 3.9% levy increase
- Cayuga Nation Police promotes deputy superintendent
Its statement did not identify a court, case number or filing date for the legal action it said it is pursuing.
The PBA said it is not in a position to provide official answers about the department’s operations or future while the recognition issue remains unresolved. It said its members remain committed to residents’ safety, officers’ well-being and continued professional police services.
The association said it hopes to establish communication with village leadership to address the concerns once the recognition matter is resolved.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to news@fingerlakes1.com.