Police misconduct: What do your elected officials think?

Background:

Scannell 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.

Scannell, of Baldwin, was first elected in 1999. A graduate of St. John's University Law School, Scannell worked 10 years as a prosecutor for the late Nassau District Attorney Denis Dillon and has represented NYPD officers at review board hearings. Scannell serves on the legislature's Public Safety Committee, which is charged with police oversight.

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:

Scannell has not filled in the survey.