Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
On a day meant to celebrate law enforcement at the New York State Fair, Syracuse Police Chief Mark Rusin was also talking about one of the biggest challenges facing his department: finding enough people to wear the badge.
Back in July, Syracuse Police told CNY Central the department had about 64 vacancies. Rusin said Monday that number is still about the same.
“We’re about to hire another class where we swear in several members on September 21st, so we’ll be able to give you a better update then,” Rusin said. “I am optimistic at this point. I think we are turning the corner. I would like for it to turn faster for sure.”
The department is offering a $10,000 hiring bonus, the civil service exam is free, and residency rules have been temporarily expanded. Rusin said those incentives are helping, but getting enough qualified applicants remains difficult.
FULL STORY: cnycentral.com/news/local/spd-staffing-shortage-could-take-years-to-fix
_______________
Visit cnycentral.com for the news that matters most to Central New Yorkers.
Stay up to date with our social media:
Facebook: facebook.com/cnycentral
Twitter: twitter.com/cnycentral
Instagram: instagram.com/cnycentral
WSTM and WSTQ are Syracuse-based stations, NBC and CW Television affiliates, owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. Sinclair also operates WTVH a CBS affiliate for Syracuse under a JSA/SSA agreement with Granite Broadcasting. Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today.
#CNYCentral #WSTM #WSTQ #WTVH #Syracuse
On a day meant to celebrate law enforcement at the New York State Fair, Syracuse Police Chief Mark Rusin was also talking about one of the biggest challenges facing his department: finding enough people to wear the badge.
Back in July, Syracuse Police told CNY Central the department had about 64 vacancies. Rusin said Monday that number is still about the same.
“We’re about to hire another class where we swear in several members on September 21st, so we’ll be able to give you a better update then,” Rusin said. “I am optimistic at this point. I think we are turning the corner. I would like for it to turn faster for sure.”
The department is offering a $10,000 hiring bonus, the civil service exam is free, and residency rules have been temporarily expanded. Rusin said those incentives are helping, but getting enough qualified applicants remains difficult.
FULL STORY: cnycentral.com/news/local/spd-staffing-shortage-could-take-years-to-fix
_______________
Visit cnycentral.com for the news that matters most to Central New Yorkers.
Stay up to date with our social media:
Facebook: facebook.com/cnycentral
Twitter: twitter.com/cnycentral
Instagram: instagram.com/cnycentral
WSTM and WSTQ are Syracuse-based stations, NBC and CW Television affiliates, owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. Sinclair also operates WTVH a CBS affiliate for Syracuse under a JSA/SSA agreement with Granite Broadcasting. Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today.
#CNYCentral #WSTM #WSTQ #WTVH #Syracuse
