Police misconduct: What do your elected officials think?

Background:

Belesi can propose and vote on laws that affect the Nassau County Police Department. As a body, the Nassau County Legislature oversees the police department and can confirm or reject the county executive's choice for police commissioner. The legislature can also hold hearings and subpoena documents and witnesses.

Belesi, of Farmingdale, is vice chairman of the legislature's Public Safety Committee, which is charged with police oversight. He was elected to the legislature in 2009. He is a retired police sergeant with the Nassau County Police Department. Belesi served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, where he was an infantryman and was awarded the Purple Heart. He was with the police department for more than 32 years and served as S.W.A.T. team supervisor and first vice president of the Nassau County Superior Officers Association.

Questions:

Police officers have remained on the job after shooting innocent people, falsifying police reports, lying under oath and committing other misconduct.

Is there a need for increased oversight of law enforcement?

No response

Lawmakers with Nassau’s and Suffolk’s Public Safety Committees have not publicly discussed police misconduct since 2007.

Should the Nassau/Suffolk Public Safety Committee hold public hearings on police misconduct when issues arise?

No response

New York City has a civilian review board that independently reviews complaints of police misconduct.

Should Nassau/Suffolk create a civilian review board?

No response

His comments:

Belesi has not filled in the survey.