Newburgh police commissioner announces sudden resignation weeks after chief resigned
Gomerez did not directly answer questions about why he decided to resign, saying he may explain further in the coming days after he has had "some time to breathe."
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Newburgh's police commissioner announced his sudden resignation on Tuesday, just weeks after the police chief resigned.
Jose Gomerez told News 12 over the phone Tuesday morning his stint as Newburgh's police commissioner was "a good run, but intense."
Gomerez suddenly informed city administrators Monday afternoon he would be resigning after nearly three years on the job.
In a press release later Tuesday, Gomerez provided a list of hiring and crime statistics indicating progress during his reign as commissioner, also writing that he had "mixed feelings and some sadness" about leaving.
Gomerez's final day as commissioner will be June 7.
"I just want to figure out what's going on," City Councilman Omari Shakur said Tuesday morning just after learning of Gomerez's resignation.
Shakur said he was planning to do some outreach with Gomerez.
"We were setting up a meeting to go meet with some pastors about violence in the community," he said. "This is a total surprise."
City administrators confirmed the split, and did not provide details in an emailed statement.
“The City of Newburgh and Jose Gomérez have mutually agreed to provide the new Police Chief a fresh opportunity to move the Police Department into the future," City Manager Todd Venning wrote. "The City recognizes the progress that was made during Mr. Gomérez’s tenure as Commissioner, and we thank him for his service to our community.”
Gomerez and former police chief Anthony Geraci came on board at about the same time in 2021.
They submitted their resignations about three weeks apart.
Geraci resigned to become the Newburgh School District's Director of Safety and Security.
Gomerez did not directly answer questions about why he decided to resign, saying he may explain further in the coming days after he has had "some time to breathe."
Gabrielle Hill, a former member of the city's community police advisory board, said she is disappointed city administrators continue to struggle to keep police leaders long term.
"Two-and-a-half years is not enough time to build relationships," she said of Gomerez's tenure. "That was one of the things I was most passionate about, building relationships with our leaders, especially in the police department."
A city spokesperson said the commissioner position itself will remain, and administrators will search for new candidates.
The commissioner will work closely with newly appointed Police Chief Brandon Rola.
Hill is optimistic Rola may stay awhile, since he started his career with Newburgh police and has stayed with the department for 16 years.
