Southold police chief leaves his dream job

Southold Police Chief Carlisle Cochran never wanted to be anything but a police officer. But in a few days, he's going to retire from that job.

"I'm living my childhood dream, but now I'm ready to go home," said Cochran, who ran the Southold police force for about 11 years and has been on the force for 30 years.

He's ready to retire, he said. He's had some health problems and wants to take better care of himself.

Cochran follows the path set by his father, who reached the rank of sergeant in the same police department. His life has been one of public service, including being ex-chief of the Southold Fire Department, current commissioner of its fire district and an American Legion member.

On Wednesday, Cochran said he was looking over old letters from the public and from some of his former bosses. He also was clearing up small details before the new chief, Captain Martin Flatley, takes over on July 6.

"They are getting a very capable chief," Cochran said. "Marty's a good guy -- a solid cop and a solid person."

Cochran joked that the day after he leaves office, the staff will say, "Chief Cochran, who?"

Those who worked with him, however, said his presence on the job will be missed.

"Honest to God, he knew every single facet of police work," said Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell, who mentioned Cochran's experience as a cop who worked his way up from a uniformed officer and as a firefighter, former chief and now fire commissioner. "That was critical in helping develop emergency management plans for the town."

The life of a small-town police chief, where everyone knows your name, means getting interrupted while having dinner with the family at a local restaurant. But Cochran, 56, said he wouldn't have it any other way. It's part of the job, he said.

It also means knowing when to reach out for help from the better equipped county police, for instance.

"Yes, we're little Southold, but we're not afraid to reach out to solve the problems we have in our town," Cochran said.

"He's always open and receptive for anyone to talk to him, whether a resident, in politics, or a member of the police force," said Flatley. "I'm lucky to still have him in Southold so I can reach out to him."

Cochran said that he was leaving the job, not the town.

"I'm a born and raised Southolder," Cochran said. "My parents are still in the house I grew up in. I plan on sticking around."