Post by onthejob on Oct 30, 2013 16:39:12 GMT -5
Forty Suffolk police recruits sworn in
October 30, 2013 by NICOLE FULLER / nicole.fuller@newsday.com
Forty Suffolk police recruits were sworn in Wednesday at the county's police academy in Brentwood.
During a brief ceremony in the academy's gymnasium, Police Commissioner Edward Webber and County Executive Steve Bellone praised the 162nd class of recruits.
"We're very excited this class has started now," Bellone said. "From what I see you're a good group of individuals . . . What you are entering into is, in my opinion, one of the most important things we do in government . . . protecting the people in the county."
The recruits began on Monday a rigorous, six-month training program that will teach criminal law procedure, firearms training and traffic law. Upon successful completion of the training, the recruits will spend 12 weeks in field training and then become sworn officers.
Bethany K. Green, 33, of Smithtown, a former assistant district attorney in Suffolk, is one of the soon-to-be Suffolk officers. She said she had always wanted to be an police officer.
"I have a lot of experience helping victims of crimes -- specifically domestic violence," said Green, an Army veteran and active Army National Guard member. "I have a passion for public service and am absolutely thrilled to serve the people of Suffolk County."
The class is the first to enter the academy under a lower salary scale for new hires negotiated in the contract reached last year between Bellone and the police union, a savings in 2014 of about $706,000.
Bellone hopes to add another 36 officers to the ranks, by moving county parks police officers to the Suffolk Police Department. Bellone has said the addition of the 75 officers would save the county $1 million annually in overtime.
In addition to the 40 Suffolk recruits, 18 other potential officers are part of the class. They represent several departments, including Long Beach, Old Westbury and Northport.
October 30, 2013 by NICOLE FULLER / nicole.fuller@newsday.com
Forty Suffolk police recruits were sworn in Wednesday at the county's police academy in Brentwood.
During a brief ceremony in the academy's gymnasium, Police Commissioner Edward Webber and County Executive Steve Bellone praised the 162nd class of recruits.
"We're very excited this class has started now," Bellone said. "From what I see you're a good group of individuals . . . What you are entering into is, in my opinion, one of the most important things we do in government . . . protecting the people in the county."
The recruits began on Monday a rigorous, six-month training program that will teach criminal law procedure, firearms training and traffic law. Upon successful completion of the training, the recruits will spend 12 weeks in field training and then become sworn officers.
Bethany K. Green, 33, of Smithtown, a former assistant district attorney in Suffolk, is one of the soon-to-be Suffolk officers. She said she had always wanted to be an police officer.
"I have a lot of experience helping victims of crimes -- specifically domestic violence," said Green, an Army veteran and active Army National Guard member. "I have a passion for public service and am absolutely thrilled to serve the people of Suffolk County."
The class is the first to enter the academy under a lower salary scale for new hires negotiated in the contract reached last year between Bellone and the police union, a savings in 2014 of about $706,000.
Bellone hopes to add another 36 officers to the ranks, by moving county parks police officers to the Suffolk Police Department. Bellone has said the addition of the 75 officers would save the county $1 million annually in overtime.
In addition to the 40 Suffolk recruits, 18 other potential officers are part of the class. They represent several departments, including Long Beach, Old Westbury and Northport.
