The Justice Department has announced that the Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD) has achieved substantial compliance with a 2014 agreement aimed at improving bias-free policing, community engagement, and departmental policies. The agreement, which was established between Suffolk County, New York, and the Department of Justice, set out requirements for SCPD to enhance its practices in several key areas.
According to a report released by the Justice Department, SCPD met all terms of the agreement after sustained efforts over several years. The department implemented new language assistance policies and deployed resources to help people with Limited English Proficiency access police services. Reporting and supervision processes were improved throughout the department. In addition, SCPD updated its policies, training programs, and tracking systems related to hate crimes and misconduct complaints.
U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. for the Eastern District of New York stated: “The Suffolk County Police Department is to be commended for taking the steps necessary to achieve the objectives of the 2014 agreement with the Department of Justice and our Office. Policing in Suffolk County has been enhanced and become more responsive to community needs. The partnership between our Office and the SCPD has strengthened the safety of all residents of the County.”
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division added: “Suffolk County Police Department’s commitment to protecting the public in a constitutionally compliant way is commendable. This Department of Justice is committed to collaborating with law enforcement to make American communities safer.”
The final report on SCPD’s compliance can be accessed through this link: Cover Letter and Final Suffolk Report.
