Syracuse trying to preserve 40-year-old deal to diversify police, but is it working?

Swearing in ceremony

Syracuse Police Chief Kenton Buckner (middle) during the National Anthem. The Syracuse Police Department swore in 36 new officers for the police academy at the Everson Museum. (Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com)Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com

Syracuse, N.Y. — Syracuse officials are fighting a federal effort to rescind a 40-year-old ruling aimed at diversifying the city’s police and fire departments.

Mayor Ben Walsh wants to preserve the city’s consent decree, a 1980 agreement with the federal government that gives the city more authority to hire Black and female cops and firefighters.

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