ALBANY, N.Y. -- Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings is speaking very candidly when it comes to his decision to keep Police Chief James Tuffey on the job.

Jennings said he hired Tuffey for a reason and that he stands by his decision regardless of what is being said by Albany Common Council President Shawn Morris.

"It's a little demeaning to someone, a professional like Jim Tuffey who's been at SEMO, at ENCON, the chief in Cohoes, as well as here, and she's almost like the judge and the jury - and she shouldn't do that."

The chief took a couple weeks off after his status as a sworn police officer came into question. Tuffey returned to work earlier this week, only now his role is strictly administrative.