Mulvey opened doors for minority community

Once in a while the people are blessed with a public servant who not only excels, but provides a model for others. I am referring to Nassau police Commissioner Lawrence Mulvey, who just announced his retirement ["Mulvey says he'll retire," News, Feb. 4].

I have in mind his courageous stance in confronting federal officials from Immigration and Customs Enforcement. When ICE swooped down on Spanish-speaking residents in wrongful raids that jeopardized their civil and human rights, it was Commissioner Mulvey who stood up to them.

With Nassau County being one of the most segregated counties in the nation, his focus on hate crimes, prejudice and bias were needed and effective. Through meetings that Commissioner Mulvey sponsored with the leaders of various communities throughout the county - African-American, Latino, Muslim - ground rules of decency and respect were worked out.

I was very pleased to have been among those who proposed him as the recipient for the Nassau County Martin Luther King Jr. Award in 2008. I hope we have not seen the last of this fine public official.

Joseph Volker

Point Lookout

Editor's note: The writer is a board member of the Nassau Affirmative Action Project, which is dedicated to the elimination of systemic racism.