UTICA - Last winter, Utica's Common Council called witnesses to testify in hearings at city hall as part of an investigation into Police Chief C. Allen Pylman and alleged illegal activity at the Utica Police Department.

Pylman denied any wrongdoing, adding that council members never walked through his 'open door' to discuss any problems. The investigation that began with a lot of fervor, subpoenaed witnesses and closed-door testimony has stalled.

The council's attorney in this matter stepped down, and little has happened. Chief Pylman and Mayor Julian have said the investigation was politically motivated. Pylman, in the past, challenged anyone to uncover illegal activity at the department. The council called for the investigation last winter. Now, a member of that council is our newly elected mayor, Democrat David Roefaro. We asked the incoming mayor about the status of the Pylman investigation:

Another Chief Pylman-related matter many people are talking about in election day's aftermath - Pylman's lengthy contract with the city. Some City Council members have questioned it's validity once a new mayor comes in. We learned that it doesn't matter who sits in the mayor's seat; Pylman's job security is fairly iron-clad, and not necessarily because of that contract but because of two little words with big impact: Civil Service. The chief is considered a permanent civil service employee who can be terminated only because of misconduct or incompetence--and only then after a hearing by an independent hearing officer.  Any charges would have to be brought by the 'appointing body', in this case, the mayor.  The common council investigation doesn't qualify.