Albany Common Council pushes back on claims

The Albany Common Council is pushing back on claims that members are calling for police chief Eric Hawkins to step down.

You’ll remember, a councilman Owusu Anane called for hawkins’ departure last weekend after a broad daylight shooting on Hamilton Street killed an 18-year-old.

But, in a statement tonight, the council says no member speaks for anyone else.

It says, in part, “that member stated that “seven members of the council have privately agreed” to this view. This statement is inaccurate.”

It also said some members are confident in his direction, and others have concerns. There has
been no discussion of asking the chief to step down as a body. “