Robert Palmieri serves as the city of Utica’s mayor and its public safety commissioner. But in light of the situation involving Utica fire Chief Russell Brooks being placed on leave, some have questioned if Palmieri can adequately handle both positions. The public safety commissioner oversees the police and fire departments and interacts with each department’s leadership. Palmieri took on the duties of public safety commissioner when he took office as mayor in 2012 and is not taking extra salary for doing both roles. He said in 2013 that the city didn’t have the resources to hire a separate public safety commissioner. Palmieri previously served as deputy public safety commissioner, Weed and Seed coordinator and as the chairman of the Common Council’s Public Safety Committee. He said he has an institutional knowledge with the police and fire departments from his time in those positions and that the chiefs should be able to run their respective bureaus.