Suffolk officers received nearly 400 fraudulent complaints between March 2023 and May 2024, but the county police watchdog said they don't know exactly how many officers were disciplined.
The findings of the Suffolk County Human Rights Commission praised SCPD leadership for being generally cooperative, but argue that the committee is still arm-length when it comes to evidence sharing, timing and insights into disciplinary action.
“This information is essential for private police surveillance,” the report said, calling for “enhancing transparency.”
The report notes that although the HRC previously received updates on disciplinary consequences, it appears that access has been blocked once the monitoring process began in 2023.
“We are now advocating for a department to make that information clearer again,” said Dr. Carolyn Peabody, chairman of the HRC Judicial and Judicial Subcommittee (AOJ).
The report also emphasizes that the AOJ, tasked with overseeing the SCPD's internal investigation, stated that although he agreed to the department's findings in most fraudulent conduct cases, he was completely opposed to the 14 results.
The report argues that significant evidence, such as bodycam footage, has not been enabled or uploaded in a timely manner, adding that the absence of video in a particular case made it impossible to confirm or challenge internal decisions.
“On multiple occasions, the committee was unable to agree or oppose the proposed exoneration as officers failed to activate the body decoration cameras in accordance with the SCPD policy.”
This is the first private surveillance report from the HRC since the committee's role was expanded in 2020, and is part of a broader police reform plan mandated by the state following the killing of George Floyd.
The goal, according to the state, was to raise public trust by bringing independent civilian eyes to the historically closed process.
Shortly after the HRC spread, former Suffolk Police Chief James Burke was arrested for prostitution after exposing himself and attempting to seek sex workers in the park. This was pointed out by program proponents as an obvious example of why HRCs should exist.
But critics believe the system still has no teeth.
Civil rights attorney Frederick Brewington, who won a $20 million settlement against the county over the death of Kenny Razo, calls the current model of surveillance a “fare” and argues that without a subpoena or investigative agency, the HRC cannot provide true accountability.
However, Peabody believes she and HRC are helping to pioneer a new era of police accountability on Long Island.
“We're committed to doing this right,” Peabody said.
“But that means they have the big picture, not just the parts they chose to share.”
The Suffolk County Police Department told the Post its focus on collaboration with HRC, but said “the new partnership has a learning curve and we will work with the committee to fix the issue.”
“We believe that in collaboration with the HRC, coupled with the work of the Department of Home Affairs, this will lead to accountability and transparency,” the SCPD continued.
The Suffolk County Police Charity Association did not respond to a request for comment.
