Under the terms of the agreement, Officer Jernick also agreed to waive his right to be considered for any promotions for the next five years and a letter of reprimand will be permanently placed in his personnel file. Due to the firing, the appeal stated, Lake lost salary and benefits, suffered "stress, humiliation, embarrassment, and mental anguish", and incurred legal fees; he also sought damages, which were not specified in the appeal. Tara Smith is a multimedia reporter who joined the Times Review Media Group in 2018, covering everything from local government and environmental issues to breaking news and features. Chief suspended following investigation into Southold PD handling of community complaints over officer's 2020 retirement party - The Suffolk Times . ''To say there isn't any friction of a racial nature between the black community and the police would be disingenuous,'' he said. The other two numbers do not appear on the list, indicating they are not police union members. 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The other employee is not listed on police union records. All Rights Reserved. Steven Witzke. This is the official site of the Town of Southold, NY. Suffolk District Attorney Thomas J. Spota has disqualified himself and his office from investigating because he represented the Southold Town Police Benevolent Association during an investigation by his predecessor James M. Catterson Jr. No indictments resulted. Residents complained on May 29, 2020, that Southold Police ignored calls that a large number of people were partying at a Cutchogue tree farm owned by former police Sgt. Looking to comment on this article? Police Officer Staffing/Scheduling Page 8-9 V. Enhance Police Officer Training Page 10-11 ", Based upon review of this footage, the court's initial decision read, "Flatley identified a concern regarding unjustified and questionable use of police action by Lake so far as the probable cause or justification for stops and searches which was not always objectively evident. The department operates a Communications / Dispatch Center which encompasses most of the North Fork of Long Island by receiving 9-1-1 calls and dispatching for two police departments and eight fire departments. Witnesses interviewed by a reporter at the time estimated that upwards of 150 people attended the event, which included bagpipers and a professional fireworks show. ''Zuhoski is still on the force,'' he said. Multiple other stipulations included in the agreement were redacted, with the town attorneys office citing section 89-2 of the Public Officers Law, which protects the privacy of a public employee. Looking to comment on this article? Oops something went wrong: Lake properly treated the arrest similarly to all other arrests and did not afford the fire chief 'special treatment,'" the petition said. In Total about 3 cops and 2 dispatchers are suspended and the police chief has been suspended indefinitely without pay. I dont have any direct knowledge of what occurred at other celebrations after ours.. According to the initial complaint, Lake said he believes his termination of employment was "impermissible by New York State law" and was "a result of political pressure and unrelated to job performance." After he was fired, Lake filed an Article 78 seeking a judicial determination to vacate the decision to terminate his probationary employment, with the goal of being reinstated to his position. "That report was given to our elected officials about a month ago and we still don't know what's in that report," said Jordan Silbert of East Marion. Regina Blasko, secretary to Chief Martin Flatley, said the chief declined to comment. The chief faced criticism soon after the May 29, 2020 retirement party for Sgt. Southold; The county has a total population of 1,493,350 people, . Russell did not return a call Wednesday seeking comment. James Ginas is now the acting chief, a source confirmed. The stolen car charge and other charges against Mr. Mims were later dismissed. The town then hired outside counsel to conduct its own investigation. As CBS2's Jennifer McLogan reported, the suspected killer is a former police officer who died in 1982. He then filed a complaint and sought damages. The town then hired outside counsel to conduct its own investigation and a summary of those findings were presented to the Town Board last month. NBC News tried to contact all the officers who were dismissed or. In the aftermath of a two-year investigation into the Southold police departments handling of community complaints about a retirement A whale approximately 20 feet long got stuck on a sand bar in Southolds Goose Creek Thursday afternoon. He joined the department in 1980 and rose through the ranks to the top job. Lake, who was working in the Mattituck sector, said he was contacted by Southold Town Police Officer Robert Bopp, who was working in the Southold sector and told him that he was searching for a fire department chief's vehicle that had allegedly left the scene of an accident in Southold, the petition said. How do I get a copy of my incident or motor vehicle accident report? A Southold Town police sergeant has been suspended without pay pending the results of a hearing over a colleague's 2020 retirement party that caused local controversy amid the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. In December, the Town Board convened for a special meeting, where members voted unanimously to suspend Officer Jernick without pay, pending the results of an investigation. Judge Arthur D. Spatt barred the recording because it was hard to hear and because there was no transcript of it. Cutchogue residents complained that Southold Police ignored several calls to the department reporting that dozens of people were at a party on May 29, 2020, at a Cutchogue tree farm owned by former police Sgt. I cannot disclose the identity of the employees. We will constantly evaluate and improve our efforts to enhance public safety with the goal of improving the quality of life within Southold Town, while at the same time maintaining respect for individual rights and human dignity. The eight La Vergne officers were disciplined earlier. The town has not yet decided if it will appeal, said Patricia A. Finnegan, the assistant town attorney. Credit: Anonymous. All Rights Reserved. Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell declined to confirm reports that Flatley was the employee that the town suspended on August 9 as the board ramps up its probe of the alleged mishandling of the party, but he did confirm that Ginas is currently serving as police chief. On May 29, 2020, Cutchogue residents complained that Southold Police ignored several calls to the department reporting that dozens of people were at a party at a Cutchogue tree farm owned by former police Sgt. Reached by a reporter Tuesday night, Chief Flatley would not specifically comment on the employees suspension but said he had not been advised of the Town Board action ahead of the meeting. He was reinstated in October after issuing a public apology and agreeing to retire in June 2024. James Ginas was named acting chief as an investigation heats up into the departments alleged quashing of complaints over an officers retirement party. Officer Zuhoski did not respond to a telephone message left at the police department seeking comment on the jury finding. The resident notified police and Mr. Cowell was spotted by an off-duty Southold police officer who radioed the location of the vehicle. Lake, the court said, was counseled by Flatley on October 6, 2015 in an effort to "redirect" him from overly aggressive police action. ''They should be terribly disappointed in their police department.''. 4 Jersey City police officers used cannabis legally while off-duty. Officer Zuhoski testified during the trial that he used no racial epithets and only enough force to subdue Mr. Mims, who he said was resisting arrest. candidates have to go through 18 months as their probationary periods. Town records show that Mr. Witzke was promoted to sergeant in 2019. The Suffolk Times reported in August that the Town Board took disciplinary action against five town employees in the aftermath of the investigation and how the department handled phone calls from the public about the retirement party. Weve appointed hearing officers who will serve as fact finders and present their case to the town board that sits as the judge and jury of those [police] officers actions, Russell said at the meeting. Last month, town board members were briefed on the findings of an independent report on the allegations after town-contracted Justin Block of the Central Islip-based law firm of Sinnreich, Kosakoff & Messina LLP completed his review of the claims. The town maintained that Lake was fired for "overzealous" behavior during traffic stops. A Southold man arrested by town police on a DWI charge in September 2014 has filed a lawsuit against the town, the police department and two police officers for alleged violation of his Constitutional rights. A WHITE police officer from the Town of Southold found liable by a federal jury in the beating of a black resident will remain on active duty with the all-white full-time force, town officials . A serving police officer has been arrested on suspicion of coercive and controlling behaviour. Russell admitted the investigation took longer than officials had anticipated, but declined to disclose the specifics of what the report found. Got a hot tip for our calendar? One photo viewed by The Suffolk Times showed a patrol car at the party. Many people in the community called 911 to complain about how the police and Flatley handled it. A Southold Town police sergeant has been suspended without pay pending the results of a hearing over a colleagues 2020 retirement party that caused local controversy amid the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lake alleged that his firing last year was politically motivated and sought reinstatement. "We have a set of rules and everybody plays by those set of rules. The city suspended them without pay after testing positive Updated: Apr. Several residents told The Suffolk Times that they had contacted police about the party claims that were verified through cell phone records but no official police reports were generated by the department. Five Southold town employees are under investigation related to a probe into a May 2020 retirement party for a police sergeant, which violated social distancing rules during the pandemic. 911 Dispatchers Page 34 XIII. Southold Town officials may announce disciplinary charges after reviewing an investigative report prompted by a May 2020 retirement party for a police officer that violated state regulations. The Southold Town Police Department takes pride in its role as a citizen of the community partnering with town government to ensure the delivery of quality law enforcement services. SOUTHOLD, NY A fired Suffolk County "Top Cop" who has long maintained that he was wrongfully dismissed will have his day in court. Southold Town Police (Southold Town photo), our Hamptons Insider newsletters delivered direct to you. The Southold Town Board on Monday will reinstate police Chief Martin Flatley, who was suspended indefinitely without pay in August after a two-year investigation into the departments handling of community complaints about a retirement party for one of its sergeants. It happened at a time when gatherings of more than 10 people were prohibited due to COVID-19. The Commissioners also complained to the Police Chief, who, in an unusual practice, permitted a Jamesport Commissioner to view the police car video of the stop and subsequent arrests which justified the arrest. who attended the trial, along with other civil-rights advocates, said the town was unwilling to admit it had a problem. Oct 24, 2022, 7:31pmUpdated on Oct 24, 2022. During Tuesdays meeting, East Marion resident Jordan Silbert pressed the town for an update on the findings and criticized the board for not taking action sooner. /. Mr. Mims said in a telephone interview that he had moved away from Greenport, where he had lived all his life, because he was afraid. Vera Chinese covers Suffolk County government and politics. Building 3, Suite 2 Site made in collaboration with CMYK ''It's high time for Southold to hire some black police officers. There is a second local police officer still listed on the commission's decertification list. To the contrary, the record presented triable issues of fact as to whether Lake's employment was terminated in bad faith for reasons unrelated to his job performance.". The Southold police chief, Joseph Conway, has ordered an internal investigation of the charges made by Mr. Mimms. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. 3 police officers charged with having sex with same underage girl . Our department celebrated three retirements yesterday afternoon with a traditional walkout ceremony at our headquarters, the chief wrote in a May 30, 2020, email following up with the reporter. The town supervisor, Joshua Y. Horton, said Officer Zuhoski would remain as one of the 42-full-time officers on the force. Steven Zuhoski. No official police report was ever generated by the department about the party. Theboard voted 6-0to appoint a hearing officer in the matter andinstitute the suspension, which is in effect until the determination of the hearing. Multiple local news outlets later reported Flatley was the suspended employee. An eyewitness, Natalie Grace, backed Mr. Mims's account in her testimony. Our department celebrated three retirements yesterday afternoon with a traditional walkout ceremony at our headquarters, the chief wrote in a May 30, 2020 email following up with the reporter. ''I want the Suffolk district attorney to either get Governor Pataki to appoint an independent investigator, or I want his office to appoint an independent prosecutor,'' Mr. Ireland said. Updated 24 minutes ago Suffolk CountyCPS workers in Thomas Valva case got promotions after 8-year-old'sdeath Top LI high school athletes of the week Aplant lovers' paradise in Rockville Centre Rangers face Devils in game 7 tonight. Mattituck, NY 11952. The police chief advised Lake that the town board in an executive session questioned the necessity of an arrest notwithstanding the clear evidence of the fire chief's intoxication and leaving the scene. Credit: Randee Daddona. The police chief supported the arrestThe police chief further advised Lake that Lake's termination of employment was brought up before the town board and that the police chief did not support the termination," the petition said. The Southold Town Board announced it reached a settlement with the police chief in order for him to be reinstated. But in what Mr. Mims's lawyers described as a resounding victory, the jurors found that Officer Zuhoski committed a civil battery under a state statute after he stopped Mr. Mims, who was suspected of driving a stolen car. Following the announcement by the town board, Flatley read his own statement, saying in part, "I apologize to all the residents of the town and in particular to the residents who called 911 or the police department to register a complain regarding activities associated with the retirement party. Ginas referred comment to the offices of the town attorney and supervisor. "Apparently, Mr. Helf was well known to and friendly with Mr. Romeo and Mr. Helf attempted to become involved in Lake's investigation but Lake did not permit such involvement," the petition reads. Mental Health and Wellness of the Officer Page 28-29 X. According to Lake's petition, the Town of Southold "bowed to political pressure" applied by the Jamesport Fire Department, "incensed by the proper arrest of Lake" of David J. McKillop, 55, of Aquebogue, a Jamesport Assistant Fire Chief who was arrested and charged after he allegedly drove drunk and crashed his fire department vehicle into Southold street signs and then fled the scene before being arrested in Mattituck; McKillop pleaded not guilty at his arraignment. Reached via telephone on multiple occasions since Tuesday, Chief Flatley has so far declined to comment on the suspension. The Southold Town Board suspended one of those employees without pay, but officials have not released the names of any of the individuals involved. But four town residents told The Suffolk Times that same day that they had contacted police about the party. Policing and Youth, Prevention, Parent Support and School Resource Officers Page 38-39 Southold Town police chief Martin Flatley, who joined the department as a full-time officer in 1980 before rising through the ranks to run it for more than a decade, has been suspended indefinitely without pay pending a disciplinary hearing, The Suffolk Times has learned. A Tennessee police department fired five officers and suspended three others after wild allegations of sexual escapades, including a "Girls Gone Wild"-style hot tub party. Mental Health and Wellness of the Officer Page 6-7 IV. The chief began his career with the department as a seasonal officer in the late 1970s, before being hired full-time in 1980. Since the suspension, Capt. SOUTHOLD, NY A fired Suffolk County "Top Cop" who has long maintained that he was wrongfully dismissed will have his day in court. Obama & Clinton were a complete failure and are responsible for the four deaths! On November 13, 2015, Lake attended a training session offered by the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office, East End Bureau for additional instruction or retraining concerning proper vehicle traffic stops and searched, the court added. The town board accepted the recommendation and voted for Lake's dismissal. As a result of the arrest of Mr. Romeo at the scene, Lake was informed by a former town board member that Mr. Helf stated at Republican events that Lake would lose his job. The Southold Town Board suspended one of those employees without pay, but officials have not released the names of any of the individuals involved. Russell tells News 12 Flatley will be restored to duty once all the terms of the agreement are met. Adnan Ali was charged over incidents between 2015 and 2019, involving . SeeThroughNY, a government transparency website, shows that he earned $191,119 last year. Rubio Warns About Dangerous Playbook Dems Are Following in Relation to Trump and His Supporters. ", Several days later, the petition says that Captain Frank Kruszeski had been contacted by "Joseph Sawicki, the former Republican Suffolk County Comptroller and Suffolk County Assistant Deputy Police Commissioner for Finance, and Mr. Sawicki had made inquiry regarding the propriety of Mr. Romeo's arrest. Regardless of whether or not the trial court erred procedurally, we remain confident that the town will prevail on the merits of the case and Lakes claims will be found to be without merit and his petition will be dismissed. Last August, the Town Board took action against police Chief Martin Flatley, suspending him indefinitely without pay. "We agree with the trial court that Lakes claims are without merit and that Lake failed to raise an issue of fact that required a trial. 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The resolutions approved Tuesday do not say what disciplinary charges the five employees face. The breakdown in training, communication and failure to follow policy and procedure amongst department members is inexcusable and understandably has eroded the public's trust in their police department.". Southold Supervisor Scott Russell declined to comment on the employee suspension, citing that it was a confidential personnel matter. However, Lake, the petition alleges, believes he was fired "in retaliation for his refusal to give special or preferential treatment to two influential members of the community; a chief of a nearby fire department, and an individual with a close relationship to a local political party." The party was held at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic when social gatherings of more than 10 people were prohibited. In early 2016, Flatley appeared before the Southold town board to discuss Lake's progress during probation, "including his concerns regarding Lake's police tactics and the resulting civilian complaints. The fifth employee number is not included on the list of union officers or another resolution in 2015 granting the employee maternity leave. Chief Martin Flatley was under fire after a retirement party was held during the height of the pandemic, when gatherings of 10 or more people were not allowed. Members of the board deemed his report insufficient. According to police reports, Tisha Watroba made a total of 46 calls on Friday to police to report unsubstantiated claims involving a domestic incident. The day of theparty, residents said the police were dismissive of their complaints and flouted the law. The widely reported allegations center on police ignoring complaints that a large group of people attended a retirement party for then-Sgt. The Southold Town Police Department (STPD), commonly referred to as Southold Police, is the primary law enforcement agency within the town of Southold, New York. As a full service department we maintain a Detective Division, Marine Division, and Juvenile Aid Bureau as well as a Highway Patrol and K-9 Units. Building 3, Suite 2 Five Southold town employees are under investigation related to a probe into a May 2020 retirement party for a police sergeant, which violated social distancing rules during the pandemic. The last request was in Damon Rallis, a longtime Southold Town building department employee and one-time candidate for town supervisor, pleaded guiltyto child pornography 7555 Main Road Town Hall 53095 Route 25PO Box 1179 Southold, NY 11971631-765-1800, Town Hall Annex 54375 Route 25Southold, NY 11971. The Suffolk Times has submitted a freedom of information request to obtain those findings, which have not yet been made public. Zuhoski, who worked in the department for nearly 24 years, had retired that day. Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe . The Supreme Court upheld a complaint by fired Southold Police officer Garrett Lake, opening the door for the case to move to trial. Contact Us Martin Flatley Chief of Police 41405 Route 25 P.O. Flatley told News 12 he is just anxious to get back to serving the community. Members of the board deemed his report insufficient. Our Fabulous Variety Show Acting Class for Ages 5-7 at Project Most! Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell told News 12 that Captain James Ginas is now acting police chief. Mattituck, NY 11952. Asked about allegations by Mr. Mims and other black residents of Greenport that some town police officers harassed them, Ms. Finnegan, the lawyer, said the town ''recognized that one can have a good-faith perception about something that is not grounded in objective fact. It is unclear when the officer is expected to present that report to board members. The Southold Police Department also operates an emergency service dispatch center, servicing two police departments and eight local fire departments. CNN The Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District said Friday it had suspended its school police force, less than five months after the attack that left 19 children and two teachers. "The town's actions have at this juncture rendered Lake functionally unemployable in his chosen field and effectively ended his career in law enforcement, the petition stated. He later served as a detective, a sergeant of the detective division and captain before being appointed chief by Mr. Russell and the Town Board in June 2011. Flatley also reviewed footage of an arrest made by petitioner on August 28, 2015 for DWI. ''It is my hope that through this litigation things will change in Southold and that they will grow and learn a lesson. Three of the numbers correspond to police officers John Hinton,Daniel Mackey and Sgt. The terms of the agreement include a reprimand letter that will be permanently placed in Flatley's personnel file. investigation of the Mims case. Their calls were verified through cell phone call histories, though no official police report was ever generated by the department. The employees were identified only by their employee numbers in resolutions appointing a hearing officer under the procedures of civil service law. Inside a centuries-old farmhouse, within a burlap sack, buried six feet under the cellar . But he said last week he questioned the allegations by Mr. Mimms, who has a. Southold Town Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative Plan February 2021 Part II Table of Contents 1 I. Community-Police Partnership Board ("CPPB") Page 2-3 II. Your email address will not be published. We will ultimately determine if discipline is warranted, and to what extent that discipline should be.. The jury, which had no black members, cleared Officer Zuhoski and a second Southold policeman, Sgt. The Southold Town Police Department is responsible for providing law enforcement services for the 60 square miles of land and adjoining coastline within the Town of Southold, consisting of nine hamlets, including Fishers Island and the Village of Greenport. About 15 percent of the village's 2,000 residents are black, the largest black population in the overwhelmingly white town. The petition said Lake's performance in arresting those two individuals, who were "suspected of driving while intoxicated" after crashes, was "lawful. That's why we use the employee numbers, Russell said during the meeting. Shes a Riverhead native and 2015 graduate of Arcadia University. Tell us about it! "It does not address the merits of Lakes claims, rather, the decision found that the trial court erred procedurally when it denied the petitioners request that the town make available certain video footage and dismissed the petition without a trial," he said. The 42-year-old Merseyside Police officer is suspended from duty while allegations are investigated. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. "They've told us it's troubling, but as somebody who lives in the community, I would like to know what happened.". Southold Town Attorney Bill Duffy told Patch that the appellate division's decision is not a final decision. A Southold police officer, who the town sought to fire over a neglect of duty, will remain on the job on a probationary basis, according to a copy of a settlement agreement obtained by The Suffolk Times. Lake arrested the driver of the pickup, Steve Romeo, and charged him with DWI, police said. 2022 Times Review Media Group. 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