Rochester mayor announces plan to require RPD new hires to live in the city

Mayor Lovely Warren announces plan to require new police hires live in Rochester. @news10nbc The plan is to ask the state legislature to change the law allowing this. Residency for police officers is protected by state civil service laws. pic.twitter.com/9z9Nh2eiDL

— Berkeley Brean (@whec_bbrean) August 31, 2020

A spokesperson for the RPD says 47 sworn police officers out of 739 total currently reside in the city.

Buffalo and Syracuse are considering creating the same requirement.

The Rochester Police Locust Club in a press conference Monday.

The President said there are no studies that prove residency requirements have a positive effect on police departments.

He also raised concerns that it would hurt recruitment, which he says is already down, especially in the case of people who have families that may not want to move school districts.

To see the full press conference, watch the video in the player below (mobile users, click here):

State Assemblyman Harry Bronson (D-138) released the following statement on the issue:

“The residency issue has been getting heightened attention over the last few months.  I look forward to seeing the analyzing this policy and working with members of the city, including the mayor, council, and the community. This idea is interesting, and I anticipate that council will be passing a Home Rule message to allow the state legislature to act.  I will continue to fight for what is best for the families of our community.”