About Suffolk County Police Department
The Suffolk County Police Department was nominated by Salvatore Barretta of Ironhawk Financial.
The Suffolk County Police Department of Yaphank, NY, strives to protect the Suffolk County community by enforcing the law ethically, impartially, and fairly. The department leads with a focus on professionalism, excellence, community, courage, communication, integrity, leadership, and responsibility. They are dedicated to the diverse community and adapt to provide exceptional service.
The department is actively working to improve its community engagement with the Suffolk County Police Reform & Reinvention Task Force. The Task Force seeks input from the community and key stakeholders to examine current policies and procedures. They held listening sessions to gain the public's suggestions, recommendations, and personal experiences to create reform. The Task Force also met with key stakeholders in the community for input, including: faith institutions, community-based organizations, advocates, elected officials, educators, and police fraternal organizations. The goal is to create safe, equitable, fair, and effective policing to support Suffolk County.
Suffolk County has implemented various programs to foster positive law enforcement interactions. The Community-Oriented Policing Enforcement Programs serve as a bridge between the department and community partners, including community members, advocacy groups, business owners, school officials, and other governmental agencies, to identify and solve issues. They also hold meetings to gain feedback from community members.
The department has a heavy focus on youth development. They partner with local youth recreational sports through the Suffolk County Police Athletic League (PAL). The program's goal is to steer youth away from harmful behaviors and gang-related violence. This program allows over 20,000 children to engage in various sporting events and activities. The Suffolk County PAL hosts the largest youth football program in New York as well as team sports programs, cooking classes, karate classes, Swim for Survival, and fishing trips. They also partner with Barber, Beauty & Books-Reading Initiative, where officers participate in special events where youth can read a book or poem of their choice to the officer, barber, or stylist and receive a gift card to a local store afterwards.
In addition, the Suffolk County Police Department runs various programs to strengthen community ties. Every week, the officers engage in Park Walks and Talks to get to know community members and establish strong relationships. Other activities include Cooking with Cops, attending local sporting events, Youth & Police Critical Conversations, Vamos Hablar (Conversations with Latino Communities), and Community clean-ups and beautification.
The Suffolk County Police Department goes above and beyond to make Suffolk County a safe and inclusive community.
