LaBella says he's chief only for the interim; city will hire based on civil service exams

By By DAVID DELLECESE

Story Created: Jun 2, 2008 at 3:55 PM EDT

Story Updated: Jun 2, 2008 at 5:36 PM EDT

UTICA - Utica Public Safety Commissioner Dan LaBella may be acting Police Chief currently after the resignation of former Chief C. Allen Pylman, but that's as far as LaBella says it will go.

LaBella says that despite earlier reports, the city has chosen to keep the chief position one that requires the passing of a civil service examination.

He says that Pylman left the department in great shape, and that morale is good, but that while he will act as an interim chief, the force has ultimately been dealt a blow by losing its top level staff.

"We have lost our top level command staff," LaBella said. "The Chief and two Deputy Chiefs. Right now the department needs stability. It needs longevity. And we hope to accomplish that by having a permanent civil service chief.

LaBella says the city will follow the criteria established by the test results and will choose from the top three candidates of the exam.

"What it needs is a foundation of command level staff," LaBella said. "What we're going through now is not about Dan LaBella, it's not about Mayor Roefaro. It's about the future of the Utica Police Department."

LaBella says that he believes the next civil service exam for the position will be held in March, and that he will not be taking the test.
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