Newburgh Police Chief and Senior Advisor Named

NEWBURGH – The City of Newburgh announced the hiring of Arnold “Butch” Amthor and Robert McLymore.

Amthor will take over command of the Police Department which has been without a Chief since April. McLymore will serve as Senior Advisor and act as a liaison between the community and City government. Amthor and McLymore will start on August 1, and work hand-in-hand to transform the Police Department as the City moves forward with New York State Executive Order 203 regarding the Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative.

“The addition of Chief Amthor and Mr. McLymore will bring new leadership to a critical department,” said Mayor Torrance Harvey. “Together the two will launch initiatives and programs that will turn Newburgh’s police force into a more efficient and transparent law enforcement operation.”

The City has hosted a number of meetings with community leaders regarding the selection process of Amthor and McLymore.

Bishop Jeffrey Woody was among the many community leaders impressed by Amthor and McLymore, and is glad that they will both have a prominent role in the NYS Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative.

“I am delighted to know that Newburgh has swung the pendulum towards progress. Mr. Amthor has previously served our community and has had some innovative programs which we look forward to seeing again,” said Bishop Woody. “I welcome Mr. McLymore, who is a son of Newburgh, to this new position and believe that he will connect with our residents and bridge a gap that has existed for too long.”

Pastor Willie Mays, President of the Christian Ministerial Fellowship, also commented on the decision when he stated, “I am glad to have worked with the City to help determine new leadership for its Police Department. Butch and Rob will make for a terrific team as we embark upon critical reforms as a community. I have known Lt. McLymore for almost all of his life and I believe him to be a great choice in assisting the new Police Chief with resolving community issues as they occur.”

Robert McLymore, a lifetime City of Newburgh resident, is a Lieutenant with the Town of Wallkill Police Department where he was the first African American Detective and Sergeant in the Department’s history. McLymore also serves as Pastor at Newburgh’s Life Restoration Church which was founded by his father in 1990.

Several City leaders met with the Highland Falls Chapter of the NAACP shortly after the meeting with Bishop Woody and Pastor Mays. During this meeting, City leadership introduced members of the NAACP to Amthor and discussed the possibility of having him return to the City along with McLymore assisting in a senior advisory capacity.

To that end, Ray Harvey, President of the local chapter of the NAACP stated, “I am on board with the hiring of Chief Amthor and Pastor McLymore and am looking forward to working together to implement these critical reforms.”

Amthor’s career in law enforcement spans over 35 years. His early experience includes service as a Deputy Sheriff with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, as well as tenure as a Police Officer in Montgomery, Cornwall, New Windsor and later in the City of Newburgh.

McLymore will serve as key advisor on police reform and will oversee implementation of NYS Executive Order 203 which was established in mid-June to address racial inequities in policing as well as modify and modernize policing strategies, policies, procedures and practices to better address the needs of communities of color. He will serve as a liaison during investigations and direct the City’s Police-Community Relations & Review Board and other targeted and strategic community outreach.

Lt. McLymore and his family have been leaders in Newburgh for decades. Along with Life Restoration Church, they have worked to create programs and initiatives that have helped residents thrive and restore peace in their community. Block parties are hosted regularly and feature food, music, safety trainings, and free haircuts. In 2018 the family was recognized by the City with dedication of McLymore Square at First and Chambers Streets near the family’s church.