An admirer of the Suffolk police department

In a story about the clearance of murder cases ["Unsolved: With Suffolk killings on the rise, cops find cases tougher to close," News, Feb. 20], the reporter covering the story accurately summarized my comments on the matter. However, he describes me as a "frequent critic of the department." I categorically reject that description. I doubt there is a person living on Long Island who has a greater affection for the Suffolk County Police Department than I do.

I have, in recent years, been very critical of the political machinations the department has been subjected to, but that is a far cry from the reporter's assessment.

I believe the Suffolk County Police Department is one of the finest in the country.

Robert J. Creighton, Kings Park

Editor's note: The writer is a former Suffolk police commissioner and is now a Smithtown councilman.