Story Created:
Nov 8, 2007 at 11:38 AM EST
Story Updated:
Nov 8, 2007 at 9:42 PM EST
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:
"It's a common council investigation," Roefaro said. "It's not a mayor's investigation. I think that they should conclude it. I think that they should hire a lawyer, the common council, and I think that they should have a finding of facts and I think they should conclude it."
"They" includes Roefaro until the end of the year when his term on the common council expires. The council is due to meet four times between now and then.
Chief Pylman could not be reached for comment today..
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.
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