Cortland Common Council Denies Police Department Over-Hire Due to Upcoming Retirement

The Cortland Common Council failed to reach a majority vote Tuesday night on a proposal that would have allowed the Cortland Police Department to over hire one officer in anticipation of a retirement.

The meeting was chaired by Deputy Mayor Troy Beckwith, as Mayor Scott Steve was absent.

Police Chief David Guerrera told the council the department was seeking approval to hire one additional officer ahead of an expected retirement, which he said was anticipated to occur before March 1. The proposed over hire would have allowed the new officer to attend the next session of the Officer Training Academy, scheduled to begin on March 23 in Broome County. It would also have allowed a background check to be done in a timely matter and not rushed.

Council members Tobin, Silliman, Lane, and Conlon voted against the over hire, while Pennello, Carpenter, Beckwith, and Michales voted in favor. With the mayor absent to break any tie votes, the vote ended in a 4–4 tie, failing to secure the majority needed for approval. Guerrera was not asked any questions or to provide reasoning for the over-hire request prior to the vote by the council. Details as to why the department sought an over hire was noted in the resolution.

Over hiring is not uncommon for the City of Cortland. In December, the council approved the over hire of two firefighters for the Cortland Fire Department in anticipation of retirements expected before July.

According to agenda notes, the Cortland Police Department’s 2026 budget personnel line indicated the department would be able to absorb the salary cost of the additional officer.

Guerrera told X101 News not receiving the council’s approval for the over hire won’t have much of an impact on police operations. He added the intent was to allow the department make a conditional offer to a candidate so they may begin the background check. The position offer or background check may not be done unless there is an available or open position within the department.