Police misconduct: What do your elected officials think?

Background:

Muratore can propose and vote on laws that affect the Suffolk County Police Department. As a body, the Suffolk 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.

Muratore, of Ronkonkoma, serves on the Public Safety Committee, which is charged with police oversight. Muratore was a Suffolk County police officer for 34 years until his retirement in 2007 and is a past vice president of the Suffolk Police Benevolent Association. He has represented the 4th District since 2009. He graduated from Central Islip High School in 1963, and has a bachelor's degree from the New York Institute of Technology.

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 comment

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 comment

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

Should Nassau/Suffolk create a civilian review board?

No comment

His comments:

Due to pending litigation, it would be inappropriate for me as a Suffolk County elected official to answer the above referenced questions.