Police misconduct: What do your elected officials think?

Background:

Gonsalves is the head of the Nassau County Legislature, giving her tremendous power over the body's proceedings. 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.

The East Meadow resident has been the legislature's presiding officer since 2012 and was first elected to that body in 1997. Gonsalves was an educator in the New York City school system for 25 years. She has served 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

Her comments:

Gonsalves has not filled in the survey.