By Eileen Buckley
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-912723.mp3
Buffalo, NY – A vote on Mayor Byron Brown's choice for the City's next top cop is being blocked by a Common Council committee.
After a two hour confirmation hearing for acting police commissioner Daniel Derenda yesterday, the Council's Legislation committee voted 4 to 2 to delay sending his nomination to the full council.
Derenda faced a tough round of questioning from Buffalo lawmakers. A great deal of controversy surrounds his nomination to become the next Police Commissioner.
Some lawmakers accuse the Brown Administration of failing to hold a national search for the job. Derenda tried to clear their air on his credentials.
"I am a high school graduate with no college degree. I believe I am qualified for the position of police commissioner not because of my education background but because of my more than 24 years of police experience", said Derenda.
Derenda has been criticized by some lawmakers for his lack of a college degree. Most critical of the nomination is former police officer and Niagara District lawmaker David Rivera.He questioned city Civil Service Administration Director Olivia Licata about the search process.
"You can't tell me how many interviews were conducted?", said Rivera. "I'm not able to do that, no", said Licata.
The Mayor has refused to disclose who was interviewed for the job among a pool of 40 applicants. His office claims the information is confidential. But acting Corporation Counsel David Rodriguez testified that it is up to the Mayor to decide what information he wants to release.
There were also reports that Derenda lives outside the city, but he insists he is living in the Fillmore District.
"I am a city resident and have been lifelong", said Derenda.
Lawmakers grilled Derenda at length on various policing issues. He says he prefers precinct over districts. Derenda was also asked about poor morale within the department. He believes it stem from several years of gridlock over a battle for a new police contract.
The confirmation hearing ended with a committee vote to table his nomination. That delays next week's confirmation vote.