Southold Town Police Department

Last updated
Southold Town Police Department
Southold-police-logo.png
Logo
Southold-police-badge.png
Patrol officer shield
Common nameSouthold Police
AbbreviationSTPD
Agency overview
Formed1640
Employees74 (2016) [1]
Annual budgetUSD$8.4 million (2020) [2]
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdiction Southold, New York, United States
Southold-town-map.gif
Map of Southold Police's jurisdiction.
Size403.70 square miles (1,045.6 km2)
Population20,114 (2016) [1]
Governing body Southold Town Board
General nature
Operational structure
Headquarters41405 Route 25
Peconic, New York 11958
Police Officers 52 (2016) [1]
Civilians22 (2016) [1]
Agency executive
Website
Official website

The Southold Town Police Department (STPD), commonly referred to as Southold Police, is the primary law enforcement agency within the town of Southold, New York. The Southold Police Department also operates an emergency service dispatch center, servicing two police departments and eight local fire departments.

Contents

History

Law enforcement in the Town of Southold dates back to 1640 when the land was first settled. The land was purchased under the authority of the New Haven colony, and Southold's town was managed similarly to other colonies under New Haven's control. The local government existed through the church, and all cases, criminal and civil, were heard by a court of judges following the "laws of God." The court established rules regulating highways, property, and common areas. These rules were enforced by every man in the town, who were required to carry their own guns and ammunition. When called upon, the local militia assembled in the town to enforce laws. [3]

The town's police department, as it exists today, was established under Southold Town Code § 51 on September 29, 1964. The town's code created a structure for the standing police force, including the department's authority and duties. [4]

In November of 1994, the Southold Police Department's authority expanded to include the Village of Greenport. The Greenport Village Police Department disbanded after a series of scandals led to a grand jury investigation. [5]

In 2017, the Southold Police Department began the process of accreditation with the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services. The accreditation standardizes law enforcement throughout the state, bringing transparency, increased cooperation, standardized training, and more benefits to the department. The process included adjusting the department's standing rules and regulations to the state's standard. Southold Police is the last police department in Suffolk County to seek accreditation with the state. [6]

Organization

Jurisdiction

The Southold Police Department patrols three regional sectors, including Plum Island and Fishers Island. [7] The Southold Police Department's Marine Division also works with the United States Coast Guard to patrol and enforce maritime law in Orient Harbor, Greenport Harbor, the Peconic Bay, and a portion of the Long Island Sound. [8]

Regional Patrol Sectors

Rank structure

All police officers within the Southold Police Department are appointed by the Southold Town Board. When additional services are required, the Town Board may appoint temporary police officers, known as special policemen, with the same power and authority as a regular police officer. While the Southold Police Department does not have a standing Police Commissioner, the Town Board may establish a Board of Police Commissioners, consisting of one to three town residents, to oversee the operations of the police department. [4]

Officer Alex Chenche, Southold Police Southold-police-officer.jpg
Officer Alex Chenche, Southold Police
TitleInsigniaBadgeUniform
Chief of Police
3 Gold Stars.svg
Southold-police-chief.png
White shirt,
peaked cap,
gold hat badge
Lieutenant
US-OF1B.svg
Southold-police-lieutenant.png
Sergeant
NYPD Sergeant Stripes.svg
Southold-police-sergeant.png
Navy blue shirt,
peaked cap,
gold hat badge
Detective None
Southold-police-detective.png
Police Officer
Southold-police-badge.png
Navy blue shirt,
peaked cap,
silver hat badge

Crime statistics

In 2019, the Southold Police Department responded to 18,776 reports of crime and made 139 arrests. The department also responded to 836 motor vehicle accidents and assisted local fire departments in 2,028 aid cases. [9] A 2019 safety index combining FBI crime statistics and law enforcement employee to resident ratio rated the Town of Southold as the 4th safest community in New York State. [10]

Reported Number of Arrests
Crime2017 [11] 2018 [12] 2019 [9]
Aggravated Assault101011
Burglary263828
Larceny178171171
Motor Vehicle Theft877
Driving Under Influence585263
Domestic Violence956871
Rape334
Controlled Substance Sale110
Controlled Substance Possession593825
Total Arrests [lower-alpha 1] 236164139
  1. The total number of arrests includes other offenses not listed in this table.

Specialized units

Detective Division

The Detective Division is responsible for investigating the town's misdemeanor crimes and serious felonies. The division's sergeant and three detectives assist other officers, respond to serious crimes, and work closely with other local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Detectives are trained to handle crime scene investigations, including evidence identification, fingerprint collection, photography, and interview techniques. The division also investigates illegal drug crimes and participates in the Suffolk County District Attorney's office East End Drug Task Force. A detective is also assigned to the United States Marshal's Regional Fugitive Task Force to assist in the apprehension of fugitives. [13]

Marine Division

The Marine Division patrols Southold's shoreline and enforces state Navigational Law, Environmental Conservation Law, and Southold Town Codes, including the regulating of fishing, wetlands, boats, and beaches. The division has three full-time bay constables with three boats to aid in marine search and rescue, beach patrol, and Homeland Security patrols. The department also maintains a Scuba Dive Team, composed of police officers who are certified for open water dives. The Scuba Dive Team assists in rescue operations, evidence recovery, and other police functions. [13]

Highway Patrol Unit

The Highway Patrol Unit responds to traffic safety issues, including speeding, driving under the influence, and reckless driving complaints, throughout the town. Southold Police's Highway Patrol is responsible for patrolling portions of New York State's Route 25 and Suffolk County Route 48. [13]

K-9 Unit

The Southold Police Department operates a single K-9 dog handled by Officer Frank Mele, who founded the unit in 2004 after the purchase of AJAX, a canine from North Fork Bank and Trust. After AJAX passed away in 2010, the Hudson City Savings Bank donated HUDZIN, a canine cross-trained in narcotics, to the department. [13]

Community Response Unit

The Community Response Unit participates in several events and activities that bring the police department closer to the community. The unit hosts a Drug Abuse Resistance Education program, also known as the D.A.R.E. Program, to inform the community about the use of illegal drugs. The unit also offers child safety seat inspections, training in alcohol, drug, and crime prevention, and bicycle safety courses. Within the Community Response Unit is the department's Juvenile Aid Bureau, which works closely with local schools to educate students, parents, and teachers on drug and alcohol abuse. The Juvenile Aid Bureau also provides driver's education classes and assists school counselors. [13]

Bicycle Patrol Unit

Formed in 2001, the Bicycle Patrol Unit has over 10 officers trained by the Suffolk County Police Department and certified by New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services as bicycle patrol officers. The unit patrols the town's major events and festivals, including an annual maritime festival. [13]

Equipment and technology

North Fork Dispatch Center

The Southold Police Department operates the primary emergency service dispatch center for the North Fork of Long Island. Located in the basement of the department's headquarters, the dispatch center services eight local fire departments and two police departments, including the Shelter Island Town Police Department. The center operates with no less than two radio operators at a time. Whenever services at the dispatch center are interrupted, calls automatically transfer to the East Hampton Village Police Department's emergency service dispatch center. [14] [15]

In 2017, local IGA supermarket owner Charles Reichert donated $340,000 USD to renovate the department's dispatch center. The renovation included upgraded technology and the addition of a radio dispatch station, bringing the total up to four. [15]

Vehicles

As of 2017, the Southold Police Department's patrol vehicles use a two-tone navy blue and white body. The department's patch is emblazoned on each front door with the words "POLICE" and "TOWN OF SOUTHOLD" spanning both doors of the vehicle. The words "DIAL 911 EMERGENCY" are printed on each rear side panel above the gas intake. Patrol supervisors use an all-white body with the same design as regular patrol vehicles. Traffic control vehicles use the department's older color scheme: an all-white body with two blue stripes arching from the rear tail lights to the front wheels. The words "TRAFFIC CONTROL" are printed in red on the vehicle's door above a blue "SOUTHOLD TOWN" inscription.

Southold Police Department vehicles use license plate numbers in the 800 range. Specialized units use license plate prizes, such as HP-0 (Highway Patrol), CRU-0 (Community Response Unit), M-0 (Marine Division).

VehicleImageUnits
Ford Police Interceptor Sedan
Southold-police-interceptor.jpg
Sector Patrol
Highway Patrol
Community Response
Ford Explorer Special Service Vehicle
Southold-police-explorer.jpg
Sector Patrol
Southold-police-explorer-supervisor.jpg
Patrol Supervisor
Chevrolet Tahoe
Southold-police-tahoe.jpg
Patrol Supervisor
Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor
Southold-police-traffic.jpg
Traffic Control
Ford F-59
Southold-police-van.jpg
Command
World Cat 270 HT
Southold-police-boat-270HT.jpg
Marine Division
World Cat 266 SC
Southold-police-boat-266SC.jpg
Marine Division
Boston Whaler 240 Dauntless
Southold-police-boat-whaler.jpg
Marine Division

Notable cases

Controversies

See also

Related Research Articles

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References

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  2. "Town Budget". Town of Southold. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  3. Lambert, Edward Rodolphus (1838). History of the colony of New Haven. New Haven, Hitchcock & Stafford. pp. 204–206.
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  5. "Police Force In Greenport Is Off Duty For Good". The New York Times. 17 November 1994. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  6. Civiletti, Denise (1 August 2017). "Southold Town to seek state accreditation of its police department". East End Local Media Corp. Southold Local. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  7. Squire, Paul. "Crown Victoria police cruisers being phased out by Southold PD". The Suffolk Times. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  8. 1 2 Salamanca, Jean-Paul. "Southold Town faces $55M in lawsuits from fatal boat crash in Mattituck". Newsday. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  9. 1 2 "Southold Town Police 2019 Monthly Crime/Activity Report". Town of Southold. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  10. "Safest Cities in New York, 2019". Background Checks.org. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  11. "Southold Town Police 2017 Monthly Crime/Activity Report". Town of Southold. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  12. "Southold Town Police 2018 Monthly Crime/Activity Report". Town of Southold. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Police Department". Town of Southold. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  14. Zegers, Kelly. "Southold Police Department's new dispatch system damaged in storm". The Suffolk Times.
  15. 1 2 Zegers, Kelly. "Southold's upgraded dispatch room up and running thanks to donation". The Suffolk Times. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  16. Valenti, John (15 October 2014). "MS-13 members arrested in Southold 'ambush' shooting of rival gang Mara-18, police say". Newsday. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
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