But it didnt shock the loved ones of Kenny Lazo, a Black man who got pulled over by Suffolk County officers in 2008 and wound up beaten to death in a case the medical examiner ruled a homicide. Mr. Trotta watched the rollout on Zoom at his office desk in Smithtown. No union official has ever been charged. Instead, it got a police chief, James Burke, who went to prison in 2016 for running the department like a mafia boss. At the time, those costs represented 15% of the total county budget. I can finally do toes to bar so core is strong. (Mr. Bellone argued that an arbitrator would have given them more.) Historically, in Suffolk County, you cant win a major office without the police unions endorsement, said Gus Garcia-Roberts, a journalist with The Washington Post who is writing a book about Mr. Burke. Last year, the county hosted what was billed as the largest Back the Blue rally in the country. Emergency Housing Services Program, A Performance Audit of Never Alone Never Afraid, Inc. They will present the bill at a later meeting. The Hochul Administration published a pair of documents concerning the Micron Megafab deal that raise more questions than they answer. The union also began collecting $2 a day from every officer to put toward an education fund to educate politicians about the importance of police patrols on the Long Island Expressway. AME is the exclusive representative of about 5,000 workers, with whom the county has agreed not to bargain directly, or to let any other union bargain on their behalf. *The final vote count has not yet been posted but at least 16 of the 18 legislators voted for the three measures. Wed like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. GL. Detective investigators will receive 1.5% raises in January 2024 and in July 2024. This page was generated at 08:27 PM. The Office helps facilitate each County departments mission, protects the interests of the County and its taxpayers, and promotes fairness in contracting with the business community. But he could not get rid of the dirty police chief. It never made it out of committee. A big heartfelt thank you to Congressman Garbarino, Assemblyman Gandolfo and students from all the schools in Congressional District 2 and Assembly District 7. Language in the SCOPE deal requires the parties to find additional savings to prevent the deal from expiring in 2023 or 2024 instead of 2025, but the countys only recourse from runaway costs will be reducing expenses through binding arbitration or moving employees to the New York State Health Insurance Plan. Anyone know the estimated time frame it usually takes to hear back with your score? 2022 Times Review Media Group All Rights Reserved, Southold CSEA pressures town for higher pay during contract negotiations, Second annual Top Gun 5K will honor late Boy Scout Andrew McMorris in Calverton, LI natives will take the stage at The Suffolk Thursday as part of new original music series, Peconic Bay Medical Center clinicians reflect on recent medical mission to El Salvador, Election 2023: Stark, Kent to face off for county legislature seat, At environmental forum, officials discuss host of issues including waste management, housing needs. 0000001377 00000 n The legislature voted to allow Long Island University to use part of the Suffolk County Farm in Yaphank for raising livestock and for agricultural education for students and the public. If one person smokes in the building, everyone smokes, said Paulette Orlando, who works for the American Lung Association Tobacco Action Coalition of Long Island. The revelation that officers lied shocked many on Long Island. In 2001, he busted a cocaine trafficker, in a case that recovered a million dollars in cash from a safe hidden under a bathroom rug. Thank you to Congressman Garbarino, Assemblyman Gandolfo and Students! Base salary: Base salaries shall be increased as follows: Effective January I, 2019 Effective January I, 2020 Effective January 1, 2021 . Questions though; my test didn't say Spanish speaking or indicate it was different but I know when I signed up I out Spanish speaking. A few weeks later, three members of the Suffolk County Democratic Socialists of America visited Mr. Trottas office. 217 members and 34093 guests. This brazen, premeditated robbery is a stark reminder of the lawlessness created by failed reform policies making it impossible to live here safely. Those contracts, however, were never filed with the state Public Employment Relations Board (PERB), as required by state regulations, nor were they posted on the county website. He was convicted in 2019 and sentenced to a year in confinement. . James Burke escorted by F.B.I. For all other offerings (Bids, RFQs, RFEIs, RFIs, Solicitation of Quotes): Please click here for access to Suffolk Countys Procurement Announcement System: https://dpw.suffolkcountyny.gov/rfp/Login.aspx, Copyright 2023, Suffolk County Government, Business Accommodations for Customers with Disabilities, https://dpw.suffolkcountyny.gov/rfp/Login.aspx. Departments > Public Works > Bids and Contracts. Wright has served as acting commissioner since July after Commissioner Theresa Ward resigned. Suffolk is an extreme version of the same problems that are elsewhere.. Yet Mr. Trotta has railed for years about the political influence of police unions in Suffolk County, Long Island, a place where the cops are known to wield exceptional clout. Villages hire anyone with a passing grade 75 or better; but must be a resident of that area.. He was a Republican who had predicted in a radio interview that police reform wouldnt amount to much. All other unions received new contracts in 2019 or early 2020. Its sometimes said that the county doesnt run the police; the police run the county. Then another. Unlike the anticipated healthcare savings, the new costs from raises areguaranteedto materialize. At least one officer was charged with systematically robbing undocumented drivers he pulled over. The six-year PBA deal will result in the lowest police raises in decades, averaging at 1.8%. Ms. Kaufman and another organizer, Alexandra Saint-Laurent, were working on the part of The Peoples Plan that proposed the creation of an unarmed alternative to the police that would respond to 911 calls about homeless people, or drug overdoses or the mentally ill. Studies showed that social workers and counselors could produce far better outcomes than the police in such situations at a much lower cost. We needed to rein that in, said Deputy County Executive Jon Kaiman in an interview Tuesday. Thats one reason police reform so often gets announced at news conferences but so rarely seems to occur in the real world. The County Legislature released a single-page analysis of top-line costs for each of the three deals, without providing a cost breakdown for specific provisions. Those contracts, however, were never filed with the state Public Employment Relations Board (PERB), as required by state regulations, nor were they posted on the county website. Another superior officer left with $624,082, including unpaid vacation days and sick time. A new seven-part true-crime podcast called Unraveled alleges that Mr. Burke hampered the F.B.I. For years, the feds couldnt prove it. Thank you toLegislator Caracappa for rebuking bully Legislator Rob Trotta who has repeatedly made fraudulent claims against the men and women of the Suffolk PBA. Was browsing through the site and saw that lottery result for. In the 1960s, a series of debilitating public sector strikes across New York persuaded lawmakers to pass the Taylor Law, which outlawed strikes but granted access to a labor-friendly board that resolved disputes. It was on one of those calls that Mr. Trotta encountered other people railing about the power of police unions liberal activists. Others say, As long as Im making $250,000 a year, I dont care.. Copyright 2023 Newsday. Police reform had become a thing, even in Suffolk County. Lawmakers voted to give health care workers discounted Green Key cards until April 2022. Unless legislators were presented with all four documents, they had no way of seeing what they were actually committing to. United For Justice In Policing Long Island, VisionMissionGuidingPrinciples Our HistoryThe Problem, In The NewsAnnouncementsEvents / RalliesFood For ThoughtDid You KnowPolling. This officer is a brother of all law enforcement professionals and the Suffolk County PBA is praying for him and his family during this trying and difficult time. A longstanding prohibition on police officers soliciting political donations from the public remains on the books, but appears to be rarely enforced. Suffolk CO to NYPD is pretty dumb unless you had to be a cop. One of New York Citys largest public-sector unions has been effectively taken over by its national parent after an audit revealed extensive financial mismanagement. New York City schools reopened this fall under terms dictated by the city's teacher and principal unions. After a quarter of a century as a cop, Mr. Trotta found it hard to believe that any plan would significantly change how the police operate. Thus far, police benevolent associations have operated outside those restrictions. They even have their own version of the American flag its black with a blue line running down the center, representing the idea that the thin blue line they embody is all that separates civilization from anarchy. Emergency Housing Services Program, A Performance Audit of the Police Departments Forfeiture Funds, A Performance Audit of Payroll Procedures, Suffolk County Traffic and Parking Violations Agency (TPVA), A Performance Audit of TPVA's Revenues Reported to the County, A Performance Audit of the Resurrection House, Inc. With so much money at stake, the Suffolk County Police Benevolent Association doesnt leave elections to chance. But I dug around and found articles about the power of the Suffolk County police unions from the . The night the police commissioner, Geraldine Hart, rolled out Suffolk Countys reform plan on Zoom, much of it sounded like more of the same old thin gruel: more community policing, more money for training, more body cameras which police officers will be paid extra to wear. Ive never heard that being a problem before for this exam. We could have done the parks.. All times are GMT-6. Most users ever online was 158,966 at 05:57 AM on 01-16-2021. With the detective contract, county officials have in the last year signed off on union contracts that are expected to cost about $460 million more in total than previous contracts, according to budget review reports. The new police chief, Mr. Burke, had reassigned all three Suffolk County detectives who had been working with the F.B.I., including two who were working on a major gang case. His new job? For one thing, its hard to know just what lawmakers were agreeing to, because the AME and PBA contracts were memorandums of agreement that modified existing deals. To be honest with you, Mr. Gaughran told me, it was very effective in generating volunteers.. Until they post the scores from the 2019 exam the other list is still active, Anyone else bursting at the seams to find out their grade? of either driver is asked to call Suffolk Police at . On March 11, the county unveiled its long-awaited plan for police reform. This lottery was done in 2019 for people who took the Spanish speaking test in 2016 and scored an 85. He was one of just two county legislators, both Republicans, who took no police money. Thats one reason the growing criticism of the police has been met with a passionate counter-movement, called Blue Lives Matter. Those figures do not include other pay benefits, such as overtime and longevity pay. That means the winners of the next two general elections for county legislature will already be committed to the terms. Protesters began demanding that politicians stop taking money from the police. New Yorks most populous suburban county has just ratified a trio of labor deals with its largest unionsand, in the process, showcased some of the worst aspects of collective bargaining across the state. You should say what I say: We would love to pay them $500,000 a year, but we just cant afford it, he told them. 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. A Performance Audit of Brighter Tomorrows, Inc. These agreements represent a major milestone that protect the taxpayer and are fair to the hardworking men and women who ensure our public safety and help operate county government, Mr. Bellone said in a statement. The very first bill Mr. Trotta presented required all officers above the rank of captain to have a bachelors degree and be free of complaints about civilian abuse or moral turpitude requirements that Chief Burke, who did not have a college degree, did not meet. The idea that the PSC would artificially drive electricity costs higher to benefit a political constituency represents a new low. Anyone hear the same? . Theres no other feeling than knowing we have the love and support from our elected officials and students. There are currently 34310 users online. As far as I know, any village in Suffolk county will make you go through the academy again. Newer detective investigators will reach the top salary step in nine years instead of 10 as set out in the union's previous contract. No figures were projected for 2024 or 2025, but given that more than a third of PBA-represented employees have been on the job fewer than six years, its likely police pay costs especially will surge in the out years. He contends the payments were not voluntary, as required. Everybody else voted for it. Wondering if it will effect the amount of High scorers there usually is. `H VY. He pointed out his fellow county legislators on the screen and rattled off how much the police union had spent to help each one get elected. The activists mostly ignored him. A member of the union sat on the reform task force. The police run the county., Less than a year after he was appointed police chief, Mr. Burke beat up a heroin addict who had stolen a duffle bag full of sex toys out of his SUV. Donald Trump gave a speech there in 2017, encouraging officers to rough up suspects and drawing cheers. In 2012, he flew to Costa Rica to testify in court in a money-laundering case. Top-step base pay is $181,969 and will rise at least once a year, according to a copy of the contract. The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. 0000000656 00000 n Other politicians, particularly those allied with Mr. Bellone, call Mr. Trotta a toxic character, a bomb-thrower, a hypocrite or a loon. Contract Search OFFICE OF CENTRAL PROCUREMENT 335 Yaphank Ave, Yaphank, NY 11980 Phone: 631-852-5196 Fax: 631-852-5221 Contract Search Please select either a Contract Number or Commodity Category or enter a Commodity Phrase* or select a Vendor: Kathy Hochul fails to tie NY lawmaker raises to tougher bail law: sources, Man arrested for baseball bat attack on NYC sidewalk quickly released on bail, Ill-conceived bail reform laws have plunged New York into a state of chaos, Hochul ignored my bail reform pleas, police chief says in wake of Keaira Bennefield slay, Hochul defends bail reform, Zeldin talks up working with Dems at TV forum, Nassau PBA backs Zeldin as he repeats call for crime emergency to nix bail reform, Students and staff across the county wore blue to honor fallen officers Jason Rivera and Wilbert Mora, Police Making A Difference In Our Schools, PBA Responds to Newsday Supporting Corrupt Legislator Rob trotta, Protect Yourself from Under Insured Motorists, Updated Department Face Covering/Vaccination Policy 8/12/21, 05-2021 Extended Weekly Schedule for Drive-Through Rapid testing.pd, New Yorks discovery laws are DESIGNED to let criminals go free. A task force set up to produce the reform plan held community listening sessions through video chats. in my experience, Suffolk civil service moves a lot faster than Nassau, so hopefully before the year ends. All rights reserved. Mr. Bellone appointed him anyway, after Mr. Spota vouched for Mr. Burke. That produces an immediate reduction in costs for the county, but still leaves taxpayers absorbing future cost increases. I heard a lot of people didnt finish this exam. The 2019 test *should* be a lot of hires due to new requirements of the new contract since the older members will not want to pay into their medical. Mr. Trotta was skeptical: What if a mentally ill person turns violent on a dime?. 0000004429 00000 n Some legislators joked about Mr. Trottas obsession with taking him down. 0000002407 00000 n Yet the police union still holds great sway. Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney's press office, CENTRAL ISLIP WOMAN SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR MURDER, MANHATTAN MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO STEALING MONEY FROM TWO VICTIMS IN ELDER SCAM, COMMACK WOMAN PLEADS GUILTY TO EMBEZZLING MORE THAN $250K FROM SUMMER CAMP, BABYLON MAN SENTENCED TO 16 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY, Alleged Bloods Gang Member Floyd McNeil Was Out on Bail on an Attempted Murder Charge When He Was Caught with a Loaded and Defaced Firearm, District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced the retirement of Mega, Dionicio Calderon Faces Up To 75 Years to Life in Prison, District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced the indictment of Jaquan Casserly, 34, of Holbrook, who is accused of selling fentanyl, District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced that Michael Gonzalez of Brentwood was sentenced to 7 years in prison, QUARTERMASTER SECTION CLOSURE AND PROMOTION PROCEDURE 3.3.23, ANTICIPATED POLICE OFFICER VACANCY-PROPERTY SECTION 3.3.23, ANTICIPATED POLICE OFFICER VACANCY-IMPOUND SECTION 3.3.23, PROPERTY-EVIDENCE ROOM MANAGEMENT COURSE 3.3.23, BODY-WORN CAMERA END USER COURSE AND INVESTIGATOR-SUPERVISOR COURSE 3.3.23, IN CAR VIDEO CAMERA-ALPR LIVE DATE-FIRST, FOURTH, FIFTH PRECINCT 3.3.23, SENIOR OFFICE ASSISTANT VACANCY-APPLICANT INVESTIGATION SECTION 3.3.23, BODY-WORN CAMERA LIVE DATE-THIRD PRECINCT 3.3.23, DEPARTMENT RECOGNITIONS-FEBRUARY 2023 3.3.23. Mr. Trotta had loved being a cop. The money was taken from the sewer fund by voter referendum last year to fill shortfalls in the county's general fund. Terms of the 2019-2024 contract for the Suffolk County Detective Investigators Police Benevolent Association, which represents 51 detectives assigned to the county district attorneys office, mirror those of other law enforcement contracts, officials said. I thought, this is a great way to get back at them: Ill become their boss, Mr. Trotta told me. Shes a Riverhead native and 2015 graduate of Arcadia University. Looking to comment on this article? The vote for the new contract was 16-0, with Legis. Railing about the influence of the police union in Suffolk County is like railing against the moon in the sky. Two of Albanys most-vetoed concepts are headed toward Governor Hochuls desk, this time concealed as a firefighter bill of rights.. The still-unreleased deal between the Hochul Administration and the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA), state governments largest group of unionized workers, would award bonuses, backpay, and guaranteed raises the next three years, documents sent to union members show. But the union kept collecting special assessments of $1 a day from officers, which eventually funded the super PAC they established, the Long Island Law Enforcement Foundation. I have a feeling its going to be like Nassau where people where people were disappointed with their grades. The AME contract runs through December 2024 and the PBA and SCOPE deals run through December 2025. Mr. McCarthy told me that most police officers dont pay attention to the union and that some resent the insular group that runs it. But what really stands out about Suffolk County is the compensation that police officers receive and the money their unions spend on local elections. Those contracts, however, were never filed with the state Public Employment Relations Board (PERB), as required by state regulations, nor were they posted on the county website. The Suffolk County Legislature on Tuesday night, with the countys Association of Municipal Employees (AME) and Police Benevolent Association (PBA), which together represent more than half of the county workforce. The Suffolk County Legislature on Tuesday nightratified* new contractswith the countys Association of Municipal Employees (AME) and Police Benevolent Association (PBA), which together represent more than half of the county workforce. The top base salary will be$174,000 a year by 2024, up from $155,000, Gallagher said. 0000006404 00000 n SMITHTOWN, N.Y. Rob Trotta, a cranky Republican county legislator on Long Island who worked as a cop for 25 years, might be the unlikeliest voice for police reform in America. That case revealed a stunning indifference on the part of police officers. That leaves a lot of questions yet to to be answered. I can't speak to exactly what grades they take, but they typically jump a few points lower than what the county is processing IF you have residency. Help support the men and women of the Suffolk County Deputy Sheriffs PBA!! Officials estimate the health care agreement will save taxpayers $40 million next year, with the potential to save more in the future. The healthcare savings will come in part from having all employees pay 2 percent of their earnings (between $1,500 and $3,750) toward the cost of premiums. Thats a major point, he told me afterward. Something changed last summer, after George Floyds death. Lawmakers waived a county charter-required seven-day waiting period to vote on the deals before more details emerged or could be scrutinized, and approved each measure nearly unanimously.
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