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The Radical Overhaul: 5 Critical Updates On The City Of Ithaca Police Department’s Future

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The City of Ithaca Police Department (IPD) is at the epicenter of one of the most ambitious and closely-watched police reform movements in the United States, a process known as "Reimagining Public Safety." As of late 2025, the IPD is navigating a complex landscape that includes a new leadership structure, ongoing staffing challenges, and a controversial proposal to fundamentally restructure law enforcement in the city. This article provides the most current and essential updates on the department's operations, its key personnel, and the future of policing in Tompkins County.

The core of the IPD's current focus is balancing traditional law enforcement duties—patrolling the city’s approximate 10 square miles and maintaining a strong presence on the busy Ithaca Commons—with the demands of a community pushing for a new model of public safety that emphasizes de-escalation and social services. The recent appointment of a new Police Chief and the introduction of a civilian oversight model signal a definitive shift in the department’s direction, making it a national case study in police reform efforts.

Key Personnel and Leadership: The New Face of Ithaca’s Public Safety

The "Reimagining Public Safety" initiative has introduced a dual-track leadership model, separating the traditional police command from a new civilian-led public safety oversight. This structure is intended to bring a broader, community-focused approach to the city’s safety strategy.

  • Chief of Police: Thomas J. Kelly

    Chief Kelly was selected to lead the Ithaca Police Department, taking the helm during a period of intense scrutiny and transformation. He is tasked with implementing the new reform mandates while managing the day-to-day operations of the armed division of the IPD. His appointment was seen as a move to stabilize the department and facilitate the necessary internal changes required by the city's new public safety vision.

  • Civilian Public Safety Project Lead: Eric Rosario

    Former City Alderperson Eric Rosario has been named a crucial figure in the architecture of the new Public Safety Department. He serves as a project lead, guiding the transition and the integration of new, non-police response models. His role represents the city’s commitment to placing a civilian leader at the forefront of the public safety overhaul, a key component of the reform plan.

  • Former Chief of Police: Dennis R. Nayor

    Nayor was sworn in as the permanent Chief of Police in September 2019, serving before the major reform efforts took hold.

The “Reimagining Public Safety” Initiative: A National Test Case

Ithaca’s reform effort is arguably the most radical and closely followed in New York State. The initiative, born from a statewide mandate to reinvent policing, proposes a fundamental split in the city’s law enforcement responsibilities.

The Proposal to Split the IPD

The central and most controversial recommendation is the potential replacement of the traditional IPD with a new entity, provisionally called "Community Solutions and Public Safety." This new department would be split into two distinct groups: armed and unarmed responders.

  • Armed Responders: This unit would handle traditional, high-risk police functions, such as violent crime, investigations, and arrests. This is where the current IPD officers would transition.
  • Unarmed First Responders: This new group would be responsible for responding to non-violent calls, including mental health crises, homelessness issues, substance abuse problems, and quality-of-life complaints. The goal is to deploy professionals—like social workers and mental health specialists—to situations where a police presence is often unnecessary and potentially escalatory.

While the city has adopted the initial framework for these reforms, the implementation has been slow, leading to frustration among some community members who feel the efforts to address racial inequality and police accountability have stalled four years after the initiative began.

Current Operational Challenges: Staffing and Downtown Enforcement

The ongoing reform process has created a challenging operational environment for the Ithaca Police Department, particularly concerning staffing and maintaining order in key public spaces like the Ithaca Commons.

The Persistent Staffing Debate

Staffing levels remain a contentious issue. While the IPD and the Ithaca Police Benevolent Association (PBA) have frequently communicated a message of a staffing crisis, a recent report suggested that the department’s staffing levels are actually "sufficient" to handle current call volumes. Despite this conflicting data, the city has made efforts to boost recruitment. A renewed union contract and the arrival of Chief Kelly have reportedly helped facilitate an increase in hiring, aiming to stabilize the workforce.

The uncertainty surrounding the future structure of the department—specifically the proposed split into armed and unarmed units—has contributed to recruitment and retention difficulties, as potential and current officers weigh the stability of their long-term careers in the evolving public safety model.

Increased Presence on the Ithaca Commons

In a direct response to community and business concerns, the IPD has announced and implemented "increased enforcement" of existing ordinances on the Downtown Ithaca Commons. This effort, which began in mid-2025, involves maintaining a larger and more consistent police presence in the area.

This boosted enforcement focuses on long-standing, often neglected ordinances to ensure the Commons remains a safe and welcoming central hub for residents and visitors. The move is a delicate balancing act, attempting to address quality-of-life issues and public disorder without undermining the core principles of the public safety reform. The IPD's goal is to ensure a safer downtown environment while continuing to explore alternative, non-law enforcement responses for many of the issues encountered there.

The Future of Policing in Ithaca and Tompkins County

The City of Ithaca Police Department is not just adapting to change; it is driving a national conversation about what a police department should look like in the 21st century. The outcome of the "Reimagining Public Safety" initiative will have profound implications far beyond Tompkins County.

The next phases will focus on the practical implementation of the armed/unarmed split, the hiring and training of new unarmed first responders, and the final structure of the civilian oversight. The process has highlighted deep community divisions—between those who demand immediate, transformative change and those who prioritize traditional law enforcement stability. As Chief Kelly and civilian leaders like Eric Rosario continue their work, the IPD will remain a vital case study for cities across the country grappling with the future of policing, accountability, and community safety.

Entities and Topical Authority Keywords: City of Ithaca Police Department (IPD), Reimagining Public Safety, Thomas J. Kelly, Eric Rosario, Ithaca Commons, Tompkins County, unarmed first responders, police reform, staffing levels, union contract, civilian leader, Community Solutions and Public Safety, ordinances, law enforcement agency, Mayor's Office, Cornell University, mental health crises, public safety overhaul.

The Radical Overhaul: 5 Critical Updates on the City of Ithaca Police Department’s Future
city of ithaca police department
city of ithaca police department

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