
Southampton Town Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst this week called on the town to hire its own investigators to take an independent look into the management of the Town Police Department, in the past and present.
After months of accusations from within the department and elsewhere about a variety of improprieties, including a now year-long investigation by the Suffolk County district attorney’s office, Ms. Throne-Holst asked other members of the Town Board on Thursday afternoon, April 4, to consider hiring an outside firm to take a comprehensive look at the department’s management structure and style, and specific allegations that have been leveled from a variety of sources over the last 18 months.
The investigation, she said, would have to do everything ranging from examining the policies and procedures of the police department down to a forensic investigation of evidence from an internal department investigation going missing, and the circumstances that led to the D.A.’s office to drop charges against five accused felons who were arrested by Town Police.
The myriad claims have been interwoven over the last two years with charges of political meddling, shredding of files and sexual discrimination by the department’s top brass.
“All of these questions are swirling, and I feel like no matter what we say we’re not going to reassure the public until we have a third-party, independent explanation,” Ms. Throne-Holst said. “I want to reassure myself and the public that we have followed proper procedures, and that that’s what we have in place in our department, and that any or all possible additional fallout from whatever is out there is looked at.”
The supervisor said that Town Board members agreed in a closed-door executive session on Thursday to begin drafting a specific scope of the things such an investigation would look at or for, individually. Ms. Throne-Holst said she would like to get the investigation started as soon as possible, but that she could not guess as to how long the work would take.
Later in the week, however, other members of the board were still skeptical of the idea of, or the need for, an independent investigation. The issues thought to be at the heart of concerns that might spur a call for such an investigation—discipline of officers, internal oversight, evidence handling procedures and attendance policies—are more of the sort that Councilman Jim Malone thought were better handled internally.
“The majority of these things are manageable through the confidence we place in the department head,” he said. “If at some point in time we don’t feel we are comfortable about what we’ve got there, then you say, ‘We’re going to check your stuff.’ We’re not there at this point—not from my perspective.”
Councilwoman Bridget Fleming said that she thought it important to present clear evidence that the Town Board had done their due diligence in investigating some of the allegations that have swirled around the department in recent months and show that they were addressed in an unbiased manner. But she said she is not convinced that hiring an outside firm to do it is the correct path forward yet.
“I think it would certainly serve the public well to be able to move forward in a clean way,” she said. “We want to give the police the opportunity to operate without the appearance of impropriety or undue influence. That’s where I want to go. I’m not sure how we should get there exactly yet.”
The department’s chief, Robert Pearce, himself said that he is fully supportive of an independent look at the department’s practices and policies.
“I’m in favor and supportive of that and will assist in any way my office can assist with the investigation,” said Chief Pearce, who took over the department in December 2012. “The assessment would be most welcome. It’s good to get an impartial view of what’s happened over the last several months.”
The town has contracted two prior outside assessments of its department. In 2003, a firm led by celebrated former New York City and Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton was hired by the town to conduct an organizational and operational assessment of the department.
Last year, the town also hired the law firm Bracewell & Giuliani—founded by former New York City Mayor Rudolf Giuliani, under whom Mr. Bratton was chief of police—to examine the records of hundreds of arrests of accused criminals, most drug dealers, who were arrested by a town officer who was later discovered to have a substance abuse problem. The results of the report issued by the firm have never been released by town officials despite numerous requests by The Press; the officials claim the substance of the report concerns delicate legal topics with regard to the potential for the town to be sued, and thus are not subject to open records laws.
A federal or state grand jury taking sworn testimony, and following all leads no matter where they lead, -- now there is a ticket all can endorse for the November election.
Memo to ATH:
It is not usual procedure for the FBI to inform suspect persons and organizations which they are investigating that they are the subjects of an investigation.
Nothing equivocal in this quote from 3/28/13 IMO.
The federal authorities may be starting at the bottom of the food chain, beneath the radar screen so to speak, to gather consistent AND inconsistent statements -- all before the you-know-what ...more hits the fans.
'Nuff said . . .
Now, Wilson could work for the FBI as a special investigator of some kind? Yeah, that might be the ticket!
They fail to recognize that there is very little trust left out here, and that the "reassurance" they seek to provide CANNOT come from an investigation, the scope of which they define!
Subpoenas, testimony under oath, perjury penalties by an independent federal agency -- this may fit the bill.
The A.G. would be the way to go........ if they'll do it!
Especially if you compare previous quotes to the ones above (seeming SO CONCERNED!).
They take us for fools most of the time.
"“All of these questions are swirling and I feel like no matter what we say we’re not going to reassure ...more the public until we have a third-party, independent explanation,” Ms. Throne-Holst said"
but then again you board members like to waste our money...
"“[A board member] questioned my judgment in the paper a couple of weeks ago,” Mr. Wilson recalled of a comment by Councilman Jim Malone about a promotion he had suggested. “Well, they just paid an auditing firm $50,000 to tell them exactly what I told them in the first month I was on the job. But I guess anything that gets them to listen to reason is money well spent.”" - 'Auditors Say Southampton Police Department Compensation System Is Easily Abused' 4/1/13
another $60k report that the town board did not listen to.
"One of the studies referred to by Mr. Suskind is the Bratton report, a 2004 study commissioned by the Town Board that recommends the addition of another lieutenant to the police force. The proposed addition, which would give the force five lieutenants, was needed to provide sergeants more time to supervise squads in the field, according to the report." - "As to why he did not follow the recommendations of the Bratton report, a $60,000 study, Mr. Heaney said, “They didn’t have my 2006 operating budget in front of them when they made recommendations.”" - 'Suskind Questions Need For Police Commissioner' 10/6/05
Looks like the Board is using Bracewell& Guiianni for many things. I'm sure that it was not all covered in the $50k retainer.
"The board also agreed to retain the services of New York City law firm Bracewell & Giuliani to assist the town attorney’s office with the hearing procedure. A maximum of $50,000 will be spent on the proceedings" - 'Kiernan's Suspension Extended' 6/14/12
"t was also revealed this week that the town has hired a powerful New York City law firm, Bracewell & Giuliani to act as its legal counsel during the investigation by the DA’s office following its seizure in May of years of police department records that were being stored at Town Hall." - 'Town Suspends Another Drug Cop' 7/12/12
"Mr. Perini would not estimate what his legal fees to the union have been or would likely be for Lt. Kiernan’s defense. But he did say that he expects the fees would be less than those incurred by the town for hiring Sokoloff Stern to represent them at the hearing, or those by New York City firm Bracewell & Giuliani, which is representing the town in relation to the D.A.’s ongoing investigation into the Street Crime Unit and controversial removal of Police Department records from the department headquarters just before Chief Wilson’s taking over in May 2011" - 'Kiernan Asks For Help' 9/6/12
"Ms. Throne-Holst refuted recent reports that the U.S. Attorney’s office was conducting an investigation of the police department. If there is a federal investigation underway, it has not involved any contact with town employees or officials, she said." - above article
"Still, Town Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst said Friday’s announcement by the D.A.’s ...more office “came totally out of left field.”" - 'Two Are Released From Prison" 5/31/12
"Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst said this week, adding that she was unaware the issue had become a focus of the D.A.’s investigations of the Town Police." - '‘Troubling’ Practices Subject Of D.A.’s Probe' 11/29/12
What do you know?
"The files are said to include internal investigation papers, but Ms. Scarlato said she was not at liberty to discuss their contents, other than that they are related to the police department. There are about seven boxes of them, she said.
“None of us know what they are,” Ms. Throne-Holst said." - 'Chief Tries, Fails To Get Documents' 5/3/12
"Ms. Throne-Holst said that while the settlement approved by the town this week puts to bed its disciplinary proceedings against Lt. Kiernan, she noted that the D.A.’s investigation is ongoing." - 'Lieutenant Is Headed Back To Work' 10/25/12
"Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst said that she did not wish to rehash the disagreements between the chief and some board members or internally on the board. “Our job as elected officials is to do what’s right for the town, for the police and for public safety,” she said. “I’m focusing on the future here. It’s been a difficult 18 months, and my job is to make sure we move forward positively.”" - 'Board Hands Reins To Acting Chief' 11/15/12
Yes, ATH your job is to do what is right for the town & public safety, ignoring problems and corruption because you do not want to "rehash" it is unacceptable. Impudently caving in because you think you may lose a vote is unacceptable. Your job as Town Supervisor is bigger than your political ambitions and you were elected to do an important job for the public.
Commissioning an outside private investigator to create a plan for the disbanding of the STPD would ensure that THIS investigation produces a pragmatically useful report. As things stand now, the chaos that an impromptu disbanding would cause would dissuade the Town Board from seriously considering it. With a blueprint in hand, the board members sitting when the next STPD scandal erupts (as when the county and feds ACT on the evidence uncovered in their investigations) will have ...more the realistic choice of disbanding the STPD and starting afresh or of trying to reform the existing strength.
Setting this as a criterion would ensure that the fee paid for this report is tax money well-spent - - - THIS time.
It is rather transparent to me that ATH would want a private investigation so as to placate or head off the Feds. Are we really as dumb as she thinks we are?
All of the Town Board members are patrons (or agents) of either the PBA or the SOA and there is no chance of them doing anything to materially change the situation at the STPD. The possibility of their directing an outside private investigator to create a plan for disbanding the STPD is remote, to say the least. However, when the county and federal investigations are complete, some or all of the current council members may resign. At that point, new councilpersons without compromising ...more connections to the STPD will be making the decisions. Should the outside investigation still be ongoing then, these new town leaders can redirect its efforts towards planning the disbanding of the department.
US Atty investigating, Scarlato, Nuzzi, Malone, Kiernan, Pearce in jail. Spota, Ed Walsh, John J LaValle resign and McPartland & Scalera big question marks as to wether they roll. Flemming sat the fence well enough and Throne-Holst is borderline with her talks with Spota and Wright. They could be good wagers...
Right ...more now it is a game of chicken on who comes in and the AG is counting the political pieces.
People are starting to make deals to save themselves and those deals will determine who to make the arrests. It is always dirty when to cookie crumbles.
".... charges of corruption, political meddling, shredding of files, and sexual discrimination by the department’s top brass."
The tax payers of Southampton Town have been abandoned by their elected and appointed officials. Feeble suggestions by the supervisor to bring in a private company to investigate, "themselves", is a waste of our tax dollars. The suggestion of the Feds having to come in, only suggests that's the DA's office is purposely ...more leaving their investigation open ended, until either we all forget... or their hand is forced to react due to a massive display of public outcry... or an investigation by the US attorney.
If you do not think that endorsements and political wrangling is in play in, you are fooled and you should go back to sleep in the forest All of the information is out there and the pieces will come together, whether you choose to believe what is in front of you or not.
Our police department will not be disbanded by the dysfunctional group of leaders that we have in town hall, because they would rather control the police department than hand it over to another agency. It's the only place that holds jobs.
HHH's new crop of politicians will not change much, as they are still spawned from the same mold of party loyalists and worker bees. Voters will never get the opportunity to see a puppet with no strings and a leader with no stake.
Nuzzi took everyone down a bad path with Kiernan and the weeds are getting thick. Some party people have to worry to, like LaWall and a few others.
Really it all comes down ...more to how quickly people forget and how much outside eyes try to look at.
Where was Nuzzi before Southampton?
Who is the head of Suffolk County Republican party?
Who is the Brookhaven Parks Commissioner?
Who is Kiernan/SOA's attorney?
Who was going to run for DA against Spota?
How did Spota get around term limits?
What Party line(S) is Spota running on?
Who else has the same endorsements?
Who does Malone work for?
start connecting the dots.
If you think Southampton is a political island, ...more think again. Where did Kiernan, Kratoville & Scalera come from?
Tomorrow will mark the 40th week since this tragic hit-and-run, and Tuesday will be the NINTH month.
At a minimum perhaps the SHT PD and Town Board could give us an update on the status of the investigation?
PS -- The hit-and-run driver's employer was related by marriage to ...more a US Senator, it was reported.
Rest in Peace, Sister Walsh.
__________________________________________
“We will follow the trail on this guy until the end of time,” Southampton Town Police Chief William Wilson Jr. said. “We’re never going to stop going after him.”
__________________________________________
Now that Mr. Wilson is no longer behind The Blue Wall of Silence, perhaps he could update us on what happened in those crucial days ...more after Sister Walsh was mowed down and left to die on the side of the road?
Did higher authorities ask him to delay releasing the ID and photo of the driver?
Was the alleged driver the ACTUAL driver?
Many questions remain . . .
Rest in Peace.
huh
huh, huh
huh, huh, huh
retire at 30.
http://www.27east.com/news/article.cfm/General-Interest-Southampton/457773/Auditors-Say-Police-Department-Compensation-System-Is-Easily-Abused?message=posted
If the Town Board, Mr. Wilson, or Chief Pearce can clear the air on all outstanding issues, this drum beat could find a natural "closure."
Wow, what perspective do you have? From here is looks pretty bad and people with subpoena power should be reviewing this. Sounds ...more like another "I have 3 words for you" statement.
This is why they want to hire a private firm to look into the corruption. So they do not have to release it to anyone.
"The results of the report issued by the firm have never been released by town officials despite numerous requests by The Press; the officials claim the substance of the report concerns delicate legal topics with regard to the potential for the town to be sued, and thus are not subject to open records laws."
A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s office said: “We neither confirm nor deny any ongoing investigations.”
Of course, the "Rot in Denmark" exists well outside of the specifics being discussed, so naturally the Town Board is not cheer-leading for a federal investigation under oath with threat of perjury convictions.
Only such a broad brush can carve out and rid us of the malady, and possibly cure the patient.
Band-aids or surgery, that is the question.
"It could be evidence of a deeply entrenched, deeply troubled operation, with rot in its leadership structure."
Unfortunately the perception of "rot" may be too narrow IMO.
Moreover, the Press's optimism that the current Town Board is capable of defining a meaningful Scope of Investigation, seems misplaced.
The Supervisor as chief executive of the town has the authority to make this request sua sponte.
Does she have the courage?
Everyone needs to go under oath. If Lieutenant Kiernan had been under oath in internal affairs he would be in jail.
Not sure why I was censored the first time.
Time for our leaders to roar like lions, even if it risks their political careers, because if they don't roar soon their careers are probably toast anyway IMO.
Time to LEAD!
I imagine that hope for an effect such as this is what motivates ladies to acquiesce so readily to the stunning fees that salons demand.
"Southampton police Chief Robert Pearce didn't return a call. A Spota spokesman declined to comment."
And how often is it used that bothers you so much?
Roar like a lion!
LEAD!
As the campaign season gets rolling, this issue will not go away.
Guess what? There is no "underground" any more in our information-intensive world (for better or worse).
Surely the 11-day delay last July resulted in the suspect fleeing the country.