June 28, 2010

71 Begin Six-Month Police Officer Training Monday

Brentwood, NY – Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy and Police Commissioner Richard Dormer today swore in a class of 71 recruits, who will begin their six-month training before becoming Suffolk County Police Officers.

The class of 71 recruits, as determined by top rank on the civil service examination, includes 15% minority representation, reflecting the Levy administration’s efforts over the last few years to increase the number of minorities taking the test. More than one-third of the recruits (31%) are joining Suffolk from other law enforcement careers, 40% are military veterans and 68% are current Suffolk residents.

“These recruits who chose to serve their communities in the uniform of a Suffolk County Police Officer are joining the proud ranks of one of the most effective police services in the nation,” said Levy.

Under the Levy administration, statistics maintained by the New York State Department of Criminal Justice Services and the Suffolk Police Department show that overall crime has decreased by 17.5% from 2003 (the year before Levy took office) to 2009 (the last complete year of data). This includes an 11% decrease in Part I Index crimes (murder/manslaughter; forcible rape; robbery; aggravated assault; burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft) and a 20.5% decrease in Part II crimes.

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