City of Poughkeepsie repeats as Award Winner

POUGHKEEPSIE – For the second year in a row, the New York State Conference of Mayors (NYCOM) has selected the City of Poughkeepsie as a winner of its “Local Government Achievement Award.”

This time, the Conference of Mayors recognized the City of Poughkeepsie for its Police Retention Program. The award was presented on May 5 at NYCOM’s Annual Meeting in Cooperstown.

“We are grateful to the Conference of Mayors for this honor,” said Mayor Rob Rolison. “Public safety is our number one concern, and the retention program has greatly strengthened our efforts.”

The City of Poughkeepsie developed the retention program to address the challenge of out-migration of city police officers to higher-paying positions in other municipalities, mostly downstate ones. By completing an in-depth analysis of the Police Department and working with the Police Benevolent Association, the city was able to restructure the salary, benefits and maximum officer requirements to reduce the number of officers who leave the department.

Over the last year, the city has been able to increase its ranks from 79 to 92 officers, bringing the staff to full strength. This has not only cut down on the costs of training and overtime, it has improved the quality-of-life for city residents and visitors.

In the organization’s news release, NYCOM President Gary McCarthy, mayor of the City of Schenectady, said, “The City of Poughkeepsie is to be commended for its efforts to improve the City through innovation and partnerships. Their Police Retention Program will benefit Poughkeepsie for years to come by strengthening its police force and the community’s public safety. Congratulations to Mayor Rob Rolison on this important accomplishment.”

Last year, NYCOM selected the City of Poughkeepsie as a winner for its transit consolidation for sustainability project. To save money and provide better service, the City of Poughkeepsie and Dutchess County governments consolidated bus service in 2017.

“To be honored two years in a row is quite an accomplishment,” said City Administrator Marc Nelson. “It’s a testament to the city’s hard work and demonstrates we are thinking in new ways to improve government services.”

The other winners this year are: City of Corning, City of Syracuse, Village of Bergen, Village of Ellicottville and Village of Rockville Centre. NYCOM represents 573 cities and villages in New York State and has been in existence since 1910.