Suffolk Police hold first Citizens Academy in Babylon Town
Tiffany Elliott

S.C. Exec. Steve Levy, left, speaks to residents at Police Academy program held in Babylon Town recently. Above, S.C. Police Commissioner Richard Dormer also speaks to the crowd.

The Suffolk County Police Department offered the first of many public meetings that will be held throughout Suffolk County, and that are designed to teach civilians about police procedures. The goal is to have citizens who are better informed, and more educated about law enforcement, thus reducing concerns about bias and inequities in policing. That meeting, held at Wyandanch Public Library on March 13th, was nearly standing room only.

"The number of people here tonight is reflective of the public interest in public safety," said Suffolk County Exec. Steve Levy, who attended the meeting. "During the last couple of week's the community and police really came together and worked well to deal with the shootings over the last couple months in the area. We're behind you 100 percent, and are so glad you're taking in role in keeping your community safe," he added.

The presentation runs a couple of hours, with time allotted for questions. It covers topics such as use of force and police professionalism.

Engaging presenter Gary Kuhne, an officer from the police academy, explained how the public might see a situation and make a different assessment than one made by the police. For example, an African American citizen may believe he is being pulled over in his vehicle because of his color, when he's really being pulled over because that officer was already looking for a car that fit a description.

"By acting agreeable when you are stopped, you take away our suspicion, something that officers develop under certain circumstances as a result of their training. It is our job to prevent crime before it occurs," explained Officer Kuhne.

As for profiling, Kuhne said that it is indeed done, but that it's not based on race. Instead it is based on behavioral patterns, and suspicious activities.

"The word profiling has taken on a bad meaning, but it's a very useful tool for crime fighting," he said, using the example that if he received a complaint about drag racing, and saw two cars with taillights out in that area, he would stop the hopped up car with side pipes over the soccer-Mom mini van because that car would more likely fit the racing profile.

Police professionalism was also covered in the presentation. All Suffolk County Police Officers now have nameplates, and are being trained to maintain a calm, assertive but courteous attitude. And, they are also trained to thank citizens for their cooperation.

Kuhne also told the group that there are many instances in which an officer may perceive a threat and that on those occasions must act appropriately with the appropriate amount of force. Sometimes the incident is reported in the media and all of the facts are not made clear, which leads to an emotional response from the public.

According to Robert Cassagne, Commanding Officer of the First Precinct, the same type of meeting will be held in different Suffolk communities in the near future.

"We are dedicated to taking a condensed version of the Citizen's Academy on the road to continue to build bridges," said Suffolk County Police Department's Commissioner, Rich Dormer.

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