The Village’s current Chief of Police, Robert Glaser has indicated his interest in retiring. Civil Service requires an examination for Police Chiefs, Lieutenants and Sergeants to hold the rank. The Police Chief exams are currently held in March of any given year.
The exam can be run as an open exam or one that is restricted to only promote from within. An open exam would allow for all qualified candidates to take the exam from both within and without the Village Police Department.
Running an open exam does not preclude promotion for eligible candidates from within the Village Police Department. All candidates based on meritocracy may be considered in order to ensure the Village Police Department is led with an agenda focused on purpose and performance.
The Police Benevolent Association (PBA) representing the collective bargaining unit of the Police Department may certainly choose its President. However, the selection of the leadership of the Police Department is a Board of Trustee decision governed by NY State law.
While the Police Department is a significant and valued asset of the Village it is not an independent entity that can establish its own self-governance.