Another policy change in the Syracuse Police Department is causing controversy.

"It's horrible,” said Jeff Piedmonte, the Syracuse Police Benevolent Association president. “I don't know if anyone can understand how bad things are, but they're bad."

And Piedmonte believes things will only get worse now that city officials are changing the department's disciplinary procedure.

"We've had a negotiated process for the past 50 years probably, of going to arbitration and using independent arbitrators that aren't affiliated with the city or the PBA,” Piedmonte said. “They make the decisions as to if the disciplines are being upheld, if they prove their case and what the punishments should be."

But Mayor Ben Walsh said the state's highest court ruled the collective bargaining agreement is illegal.

"We have to follow the law and the court of appeals determined discipline is something that can't be negotiated,” Walsh said.

So, now a new process is being developed. Unlike before, the disputes will be public and Walsh said they are working with the department to hire a hearing officer.

"Because this is a change for our officers who are used to a specific process, we need to make sure they are comfortable with it, that they know we intend to be fair,” Walsh said.

However, Piedmonte believes it will be difficult to hire an unbiased hearing officer, and this is just one of his many concerns.

“What [will the] rules be? I think because it's going to be public hearings you're going to have a lot more showmanship," Piedmonte said.

Piedmonte also fears officers will face harsher consequences, which could have a ripple effect.

"If no one is doing proactive policing, we're going to have more problems,” Piedmonte said. “The city is getting much more violent."

Both agree, the end goal is to protect the public. There is no exact date as to when the new plan will go into effect.