Steven Witzke for up to 30 days without pay pending the final determination of charges that were previously served upon him, according to a resolution. who attended the trial, along with other civil-rights advocates, said the town was unwilling to admit it had a problem. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. 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 Open Level Hip Hop for ages 10+ at Project Most! He would not comment on Chief Martin Flatley, who has been a veteran of the department for more than four decades. Five Southold Town employees face disciplinary charges, including one who has been suspended without pay, in connection witha May 2020 party for an officer who was retiring from the police department. 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. . 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. The day of theparty, residents said the police were dismissive of their complaints and flouted the law. SOUTHOLD, NY A fired Suffolk County "Top Cop" who has long maintained that he was wrongfully dismissed will have his day in court. Police Brutality Claim Roils Southold - The New York Times The other two numbers do not appear on the list, indicating they are not police union members. SeeThroughNY, a government transparency website, shows that he earned $191,119 last year. The Southold Town Board suspended one of those employees without pay, but officials have not released the names of any of the individuals involved. The settlement agreement was approved by the board approved Jan. 19. "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. Incorporating Community Resources for People in Crisis Page 35-37 XIV. Procedural Justice Page 4-5 III. Get more on these and other NewsdayTV stories, Privacy Policy |Terms of service |Subscription terms |Your ad choices |Cookie Settings |California Privacy Rights |About Us |Contact Newsday |Reprints & permissions |Advertise with Newsday |Help. Angel Torres, 54, of Bellport, was arrested on a driving while intoxicated charge after a police officer observed him failing to maintain his lane of travel on County Route 48 in Southold Tuesday night, according to a Southold Town Police press [] Chief Flatley faced further criticism from the Town Board upon filing his own investigation into the departments response in June 2020. Specifically, the Appellate Division held that Mr. Lake had submitted sufficient evidence of wrongful termination so as to entitle him to a trial of the issues. 2022 Times Review Media Group. 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. Credit: Anonymous. Southold Supervisor Scott Russell declined to comment on the employee suspension, citing that it was a confidential personnel matter. Shes a Riverhead native and 2015 graduate of Arcadia University. Specifically, Southold Town Police Chief Martin Flatley, while "not finding Lake to be the worst performer in the department, had received certain civilian complaints painting petitioner to be overaggressive and overzealous in his use of police tactics in conducting vehicle traffics stops, searches and arrests," the court's first decision read. There is a second local police officer still listed on the commission's decertification list. 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." 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. ''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. '', The statement said the board ''remains firm in its belief that all of the facts, including some information that was not before the jury, show that the officer acted reasonably under the circumstances.''. According to testimony in the civil trial, which ended in Federal District Court in Central Islip on April 30, Officer Steven Zuhoski beat the plaintiff, John Mims of Greenport, severely enough to knock him unconscious for more than two hours, requiring stitches and staples to close wounds to his head. 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. Theboard voted 6-0to appoint a hearing officer in the matter andinstitute the suspension, which is in effect until the determination of the hearing. "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. Lawyer fires back over blame in death of Boston police officer Two additional officers and a civilian are still subject to discipline over the incident. Contact Us Martin Flatley Chief of Police 41405 Route 25 P.O. 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. Experts Warn Senator That Abortion By Mail Puts Women At Risk, The Lefts Plan for Hostile Takeover of Supreme Court, Montana Bans TikTok, Transgender Treatment on Minors to keep Kids Safe, An Historical Tiny Town | Long Island Weekly, In this article, Ms. Hathaway says we know that no two pregnancies are alike, and it follows that no two, FEMA is supposed to send Federal help to disaster areas. 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. 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. Lake, the court said, was counseled by Flatley on October 6, 2015 in an effort to "redirect" him from overly aggressive police action. Furthermore, Flatley testified that Lake did not always deploy his body microphone as required by departmental protocol, thus when civilian complaints were lodged against him for unjustified or overly aggressive use of police action, respondent could not rely on footage to corroborate or refute the lodged complaints.". The resolutions approved Tuesday do not say what disciplinary charges the five employees face. 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 Southold Town Board suspended one of those employees without pay, but officials have not released the names of any of the individuals involved. Non-PBA members working at police headquarters can include senior leadership positions and dispatchers. Federal suit: Southold cop beat man in custody after false arrest The town denied that Helf, Sawicki or the Jamesport Fire Department ever criticized the petitioner or called for his dismissal, the decision says. It happened at a time when gatherings of more than 10 people were prohibited due to COVID-19. The employees were identified only by their employee numbers in resolutions appointing a hearing officer under the procedures of civil service law. Three of the employee numbers were found on a town document listing police union dues that name officers John Hinton,Daniel Mackey and Sgt. 5 Southold town employees under investigation following 2 - YouTube Russell did not return a call Wednesday seeking comment. Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell says he wants the situation behind them and it's time to focus on the future. 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. Town Hall 53095 Route 25PO Box 1179 Southold, NY 11971631-765-1800, Town Hall Annex 54375 Route 25Southold, NY 11971. Southold says disciplinary action may be taken in wake of - Newsday Protocols in place at the time from the office of then-Gov. "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. 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. In Total about 3 cops and 2 dispatchers are suspended and the police chief has been suspended indefinitely without pay. The resolutions do not state what charges the individuals face and identifythem only by their employee numbers. Chief suspended following investigation into Southold PD handling of Mr. Mims testified that he had not resisted and that Officer Zuhoski, after handcuffing him, hit him repeatedly with a flashlight while yelling racial insults and threatening to kill him. Steven Witzke, according to a town document detailing who pays Southold Town police union dues. By: News 12 Staff. The investigation sent shockwaves through the community, with many concerned about a lack of transparency. The 42-year-old Merseyside Police officer is suspended from duty while allegations are investigated. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Former Desert Hot Springs police officer suspended following He says hearings are scheduled to consider disciplinary action against four other town employees still under investigation because of the response to the retirement party, but the town cannot release the larger report into the investigations before the pending hearings. Houston County District Attorney William Kendall told local news outlets Monday that he began investigating after he was told of the unspecified allegations against Warner Robins officers on April 11, getting . Supervisor Scott Russell said during Tuesdays town board meeting that the charges follow an investigative report prompted by the party, which appeared to violate the states early pandemic protocols. investigation of the Mims case. The Laredo Police Department headquarters at 4712 Maher Ave. Courtesy/Google Maps. SJPD social-media scandal: What happened to the officers? NORTH FORK, NY Damon Rallis, a longtime Southold Town employee and Boy Scout leader who was arrested and charged with distribution of child pornography is slated to plead guilty Wednesday,. James Ginas was named acting chief as an investigation heats up into the departments alleged quashing of complaints over an officers retirement party. The legal battle over who is to blame for the death of a Boston police officer during a snowstorm has taken another bitter turn. The city suspended them without pay after testing positive Updated: Apr. Following settlement, Southold keeps police officer whose 'fitness for Members of the board deemed his report insufficient. The resident notified police and Mr. Cowell was spotted by an off-duty Southold police officer who radioed the location of the vehicle. His account was contradicted by four town residents who told The Suffolk Times that same day that they had contacted police about the party. The stolen car charge and other charges against Mr. Mims were later dismissed. Southold Police: Man drove drunk, woman with suspended license caught James Ginas has been the acting chief. Town of Southold Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative Plan 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. He will also be subject to retraining at the discretion of police chief Martin Flatley and also agreed not to bring a lawsuit against the town, police department and other related entities. Tennessee police fired after wild accusations of cop threesome, on-duty Steven Zuhoski when he told a reporter the following day that he was unaware the party had taken place and that the department received no complaints. Copyright 2023 Newsday. '', Lucius Ware of Southampton, the president of the eastern Long Island branch of the N.A.A.C.P. The town has not yet decided if it will appeal, said Patricia A. Finnegan, the assistant town attorney. We recognize that our primary responsibility is to safeguard the lives and property of the people we serve. LI Police Chief Suspended After Retirement Party In Pandemic: Attorney Lisa Finn 8/12/2022 SOUTHOLD, NY Southold Town Police Chief Martin Flatley has been suspended without pay. George Clancy was arrested by Southold Police on Sept. 28, 2014. Their calls were verified through cell phone call histories, though no official police report was ever generated by the department. April 24, 2023 at 5:22 p.m. 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. 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. Box 911 Peconic, NY 11958 Email Ph: (631) 765-2600 Fx: (631) 734-2315 Emergency: 9-1-1 Town Hall 53095 Route 25 PO Box 1179 Southold, NY 11971 631-765-1800 Town Hall Annex 54375 Route 25 Southold, NY 11971 The 2020 Nissan Rogue was then spotted by a patrol officer who attempted to pull the vehicle over. - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. James Ginas is now the acting chief, a source confirmed. All rights reserved. He joined the department in 1980 and rose through the ranks to the top job. The resident, meanwhile, has left town, saying he feared for his life. During that retirement party in Cutchogue for Sgt. "They've told us it's troubling, but as somebody who lives in the community, I would like to know what happened.". Police Officer Staffing/Scheduling Page 8-9 V. Enhance Police Officer Training Page 10-11 Laredo police suspended 3 officer in voter fraud case In July 2020, the Town Board hired outside counsel to investigate the departments response to the party. Southold Town Police Chief Martin Flatley was suspended and Capt. 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. Three Laredo police officers have been indefinitely suspended in relation to the voter fraud in the District II . '', ''Perhaps they are misinformed,'' he said of the town statement. (Louisville Metro Police Department) I dont have any direct knowledge of what occurred at other celebrations after ours.. Southold 7555 Main Road 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. The chief faced criticism soon after the May 29, 2020 retirement party for Sgt. Upon information and belief, Mr. Sawicki also contacted the town board.". The petition also stated that after applying to be rehired by the Southampton Town Police Department, Lake could not be offered a position because Southold Town did not "offer a reason for his termination of employment" and it would need to be investigated. The Suffolk Times has submitted a freedom of information request to obtain those findings, which have not yet been made public. The meeting agenda only identified him using his town employee number, which corresponds to a number included in a public document listing monthly police union dues deductions. Lake properly treated the arrest similarly to all other arrests and did not afford the fire chief 'special treatment,'" the petition said. '', Officer in Beating Case Will Remain on Duty, https://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/25/nyregion/officer-in-beating-case-will-remain-on-duty.html. /. Mr. Horton was not in office at the time of the Mims incidents; he was elected in 2001. 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Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe . 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. Keep up with all the latest from Eastern LI. Officer Richard Jernick III, who was suspended without pay through Town Board resolution in December, faced possible termination of his employment for alleged various acts of neglect of duty or dereliction in the performance of official duty, acts of disobedience or acts of delinquency that may have seriously affected Officer Jernicks general character and fitness for the job, the settlement agreement states. Supreme Court Justice William G. Ford, in the court's first ruling, said the town maintained Lake's dismissal was due to "poor or problematic performance.". The town maintained that Lake was fired for "overzealous" behavior during traffic stops. 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. 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.". The terms of the agreement include a reprimand letter that will be permanently placed in Flatley's personnel file. Capt. 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. The chief will also have to release a letter of apology to the public and retire effective June 24, 2024. 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." Adnan Ali was charged over incidents between 2015 and 2019, involving . NBC News tried to contact all the officers who were dismissed or. Gary E. Ireland, another lawyer for Mr. Mims, said the trial outcome proved the need for a special prosecutor to investigate the beating incident and a continuing pattern of abuse and harassment of black residents in Greenport by town police officers. Capt. Steven Zuhoski and. Chief Flatley received criticism for how the department handled those complaints and the town hired an independent investigator to look into their response. The board will make a decision on possible disciplinary action based on the hearing officer's report. Shes a Riverhead native and 2015 graduate of Arcadia University. ''It's high time for Southold to hire some black police officers. Lake, who was fired on May 19, 2016, four days before the end of his probationary period, is represented by attorney Eric Bressler of Mattituck's Wickham, Bressler and Geasa, PC; his petition was initially denied in 2017 by the New York State Supreme Court. A Metropolitan police officer has been suspended after a video appeared to show him briefly applying pressure with his knee to a suspect's neck area during an arrest in London. They are all entitled to due process.. A serving police officer has been arrested on suspicion of coercive and controlling behaviour. 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Merseyside Police officer held on suspicion of coercive behaviour Three of the numbers correspond to police officers John Hinton,Daniel Mackey and Sgt. Witzke, who has been a police officer in Southold for over a decade, is one of five town employees facing disciplinary action after an investigation into the police departments response to community complaints about a May 2020 retirement party for one of its officers that violated social distancing protocols in place at the time. 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 department's handling of community complaints about a retirement party for one of its sergeants. Respondent contends that complaint could neither be substantiated or unfounded. Chief suspended following investigation into Southold PD handling of community complaints over officer's 2020 retirement party - The Suffolk Times . ", 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. Our Fabulous Variety Show Acting Class for Ages 5-7 at Project Most! 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 said last week. We are currently evaluating with our outside counsel whether to pursue that course of action.". "We have a set of rules and everybody plays by those set of rules. 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.