NORWICH – For years, the City of Norwich Police Department has been in charge of city court security, but as of today, New York State will be taking over.

Two weeks ago, City of Norwich Police Chief Joseph Angelino received notice of the change from the state. “We were advised, as of Nov. 16, the State of New York Office of Court Administration would be taking over the security of the city court,” Angelino said.

When Angelino first heard unconfirmed reports of the change, he brought the issue to the Common Council. Angelino was concerned about the possibility of layoffs. After discussing the issue with the state, it was decided that one City of Norwich officer would be transferred, becoming a state officer instead. According to Angelino, the state would have liked to transfer two officers, but the city could only offer one. The other court security officer needed will be transferred from another district.