Suffolk To Review Complaints Of Police Misconduct Through Portal

HAUPPAUGE, NY — Suffolk County on Monday will begin reviewing Suffolk police misconduct, complaints and compliments from the public, Executive Steve Bellone announced Wednesday in Hauppauge.

The Suffolk County Human Rights Commission and the Internal Affairs Bureau will review reports of police misconduct, according to Bellone.

People can submit complaints or compliments of Suffolk police officers to SIVIL Oversight, and they will then be notified when their reports are received and investigated. The portal, Bellone said, enhances civilian oversight.

"To ensure everyone in Suffolk can enjoy their right to safety in their community, and to be respected by the officers sworn to protect them, we've prioritized the implementation of community-oriented reforms across the entire Suffolk County Police Department organization," Bellone said.

Police officers' contact cards were updated to feature the contact information for the Human Rights Commission in English and Spanish, said Deputy County Executive Vanessa Baird-Streeter. The SIVIL Oversight program offers translation services for those whose first language is not English.

The measure is part of the county's Police Reform and Reinvention Plan, which, the county said, is "enhancing community trust through transparency and accountability."

Baird-Streeter called the use of the platform a "milestone" in the county's police reform efforts.

The Suffolk County Legislature approved the plan in March 2021.

Since the plan was implemented, 1,600 Suffolk officers wear body cameras; the department has taken implicit bias training; a data transparency dashboard was created; and minor equipment violations were de-emphasized.

The county also changed how police respond to calls from people with mental illness, Bellone said. The Suffolk Behavioral Health Unit responds to emergencies involving those with mental illness, and mental health 911 calls are triaged. Crisis intervention officers and mental health professionals respond together to calls when needed.

"When you look collectively at everything we have done and accomplished over the past two years, we truly have created a blueprint for lasting positive change," Bellone said.