Suffolk PD to detail reorganization plan

Suffolk police leaders are expected Thursday to detail, for the first time, the department's reorganization around an "intelligence-led" crime-fighting model.

Acting Commissioner Edward Webber and Chief of Department James Burke will present their vision at the county legislature public safety committee meeting, at 10 a.m. in Hauppauge.

Insp. Kevin Fallon, a police spokesman, said Wednesday that Burke and Webber's presentation would give "a good picture of where the department is going for the next year or so."

County Executive Steve Bellone has promised to prioritize "data-driven decision making," including using crime trends to help deploy officers.

Wednesday, his spokeswoman, Vanessa Baird-Streeter, said department leaders are placing "more responsibility and accountability" on precinct commanders while "providing them more resources to address local issues."

Portions of the department's new direction that Bellone has already publicized include the return of anti-gang officers to precincts; the launch of a pharmacy safety initiative involving special training; and a streamlined public information unit, which had grown under former County Executive Steve Levy.

Bellone has said he will emphasize accurate reporting of crime data, noting he had "anecdotal" evidence some felonies had been reported as misdemeanors to improve the department's image.

The public safety committee's new chairwoman said she expects to hear that officers have improved communication both among themselves and in the neighborhoods they patrol.

"It's about sharing information and intelligence within all the different units of the police department," said Legis. Kate Browning (WF-Shirley), when asked what "intelligence-led policing" meant to her. "It's also about better community policing, so that people won't be afraid to share information."

Another lawmaker said he's liked what he has heard so far. "They seem to be taking a fresh look at things," said Majority Leader DuWayne Gregory (D-Amityville), another committee member. "And I expect there will be more changes we haven't heard about."