Overdose deaths down locally this year as numbers soared nationally in 2020 timesreview.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from timesreview.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
A distant photo of the retirement party, published with permission from a local resident who drove past the event.
At least six Southold Town Police Department employees are being questioned in an ongoing probe of the department’s response to community complaints about a sergeant’s retirement party last May, according to billing records filed with the town.
As of Feb. 23, a police sergeant, one police officer and two dispatchers had been deposed by outside counsel hired by the Town Board to conduct the investigation. Two more officers were scheduled to be deposed, according to the invoice filed by attorney Justin Block of the firm Messina, Pirillo and Hill.
TIM GANNON PHOTO
Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and local police officials announce a grant to improve police communications in 2017.
The Suffolk County Legislature approved $1.75 million in funding last Tuesday to upgrade police communication equipment on the East End, including a communication tower planned for Jamesport, an area police say has bad reception.
The project, initiated by Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy Sini, is called the East End Law Enforcement Communication Project.
“Improving the communications systems utilized by the collaborative efforts between the District Attorney’s office, the Suffolk County Police Department and the various local police departments here on the East End will improve safety for the officers and community as a whole,” said Legislator Bridget Fleming, a co-sponsor of the bill authorizing the funds.
Residents express support for recently completed police reform plan during first listening session timesreview.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from timesreview.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Police chief responds to task force report, questions cost of body cams Funding for body cameras is a cost Southold Chief Martin Flatley raised as a concern. (Credit: Ryan Johnson/Flickr)
Among the recommendations outlined in Southold’s police reform report are the need to diversify the police force, establish an internal affairs bureau to better investigate complaints and begin equipping officers with body-worn cameras.
“There are some items that are definitely attainable, some we are currently in the process of implementing, but just as many that I don’t feel are necessary for our department,” Police Chief Martin Flatley said in response to the report submitted by the Southold Justice Review & Reform Task Force last week.