City of Syracuse and NAACP Respond to Ruling on Consent Decree

City of Syracuse and NAACP Respond to Ruling on Consent Decree

Published on July 09, 2026

Syracuse Mayor Sharon F. Owens announced that the Northern District of New York has issued a decision in favor of the City regarding the long-standing consent decree governing recruitment and hiring practices within the Syracuse Police and Fire Departments.

The consent decree, originally established to address historic underrepresentation of African-Americans and women in the City's public safety workforce, set out a series of long-term objectives aimed at fostering more diverse and inclusive police and fire departments. These objectives included enhanced recruitment efforts focused on underrepresented groups and the authorization of limited race and sex-conscious hiring measures, notwithstanding certain constraints under New York State Civil Service Law.

The City of Syracuse, with support from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), opposed the U.S. Department of Justice's motion to dissolve the consent decree. The City argued that the established legal standards supporting remedial employment measures remain firmly in place and the consent decree continues to serve important and necessary purposes. The City argued that the Government failed to demonstrate a significant change in law or fact required to justify dissolution.

"The Court's decision recognizes the City's long-term commitment to fair, equitable, and inclusive hiring practices," said Mayor Owens. "We will continue working to ensure that our public safety departments reflect the diverse community they serve. I also want to thank the NAACP for its ongoing support throughout this process."

"This is more than a legal victory; it is a victory for our soul. The NAACP Syracuse Branch has been a tireless champion for the decree and was integral to getting this over the finish line." said L. Joy Williams, NAACP-New York State Conference President. "Once again our Government is spending its time and money trying to strip away the very tools that ensure our police and fire departments look like the community they serve. The Court's decision today confirms that we cannot and will not retreat from our commitment to justice while significant racial and gender disparities continue to plague municipal institutions across the state."

"The Syracuse/Onondaga County NAACP welcomes the District Court's decision to keep the Consent Decree in place. This ruling reaffirms that accountability, transparency, and meaningful reform remain essential to ensuring equal justice and protecting the civil rights of every member of the Syracuse community," said Gwendolyn Muok, President of the Syracuse/Onondaga County NAACP Branch. "This decision is not simply about preserving a legal agreement- it is about honoring the principle that every person deserves equal protection under the law. We will continue to stand vigilant in defense of civil rights and advocate for a community where justice, fairness, and accountability are realities for all."

The City remains dedicated to responsible, inclusive workforce development and will continue advancing policies that strengthen fairness, opportunity, and public trust.

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