Residents in Yonkers are petitioning and emailing officials in an effort to keep a police captain in his current job.

Capt. Robert Itzla, who had been a commanding officer in Yonkers for just seven months, is being reassigned to the city jail. The longtime police veteran, with 31 years of service, is scheduled to begin his new tour of duty on Monday.

While it's not unusual for high-ranking officers to be shuffled to head different divisions, Yonkers Police Commissioner Charles Gardner would only say that the transfer is a personnel matter. He added that the precinct will not have any disruption of service and that safety and security is paramount to the department.

Some people living in Yonkers say they don't want to see a change, and they are going straight to their local leaders for help, including emailing the mayor and calling city council members.

"In that short amount of time, he's made a huge impact. That obviously these constituents that reside in the 1st Precinct are upset, to me that tells me he is doing a good job," says City Council Member John Larkin.

Capt. Itzla would not comment on camera, but News 12 has learned the reappointments by the commissioner could be an attempt to force more senior officers to retire as a money-saving measure.