Bellone announces search panel for top cop

Suffolk County Executive-elect Steve Bellone said Tuesday that he's looking for an independent-minded police commissioner who will protect the department from becoming a "political football."

In announcing a five-member committee to conduct a national search, Bellone said finding a successor to retiring Police Commissioner Richard Dormer could take four months or more. An acting commissioner, from inside the department, is expected to be named by Jan. 1.

"This is not something you want to rush," Bellone said at a news conference in Hauppauge. "You have to be sure you have the right person."

Bellone said he's not looking for a "yes person," and "ideally, I see us arguing from time to time."

Police unions have long complained that Dormer allowed County Executive Steve Levy to interfere with the department. Levy has said the unions were unhappy he took steps to streamline operations.

The committee will begin by developing a detailed job description, Bellone said.

Bellone also said the new commissioner must be committed to "data-driven" policing that uses resources based on crime trends. The commissioner should be able to build trust with residents, and be willing to move ineffective commanders, Bellone said.

The search committee is led by Long Island Association president Kevin Law, who oversaw department operations as Levy's top deputy. He said candidates from outside and inside the county would receive equal consideration. "At the end of the day, we'll recommend the best candidate," Law said.

The other committee members are: John Bilich, of Sayville, chief investigator at the Manhattan district attorney's office; Diana Dominguez Weir, of Wainscott, executive vice president of the Long Island Housing Partnership; retired New York City Department of Correction Capt. Errol Toulon, of Smithtown; and Emily Constant, of Port Jefferson, Suffolk's chief assistant district attorney.