ITHACA, N.Y. (WHCU) — The Ithaca Police Department’s union leader is blasting Mayor Laura Lewis for the apparent and abrupt cancellation of a planned police chief exam. 

Ithaca PBA President Tom Condzella says people who applied for the exam later this month received a letter last month from the city’s H-R department, which said the exam had been postponed without offering a new date.

Condzella is accusing the mayor of trying to “cripple” IPD. You can read his full statement here: IPBA_News_Statement_Chief-Exam_Mar823_FINAL

Ithaca has not had a permanent police chief since April 2021. The city announced Tuesday two virtual forums will be held this month seeking input about the police chief search.