Suffolk Police Commissioner Steps Down

On the eve of an election that will bring in a new county executive who can name a new chief of the Suffolk Police Department, Commissioner Rodney Harrison announced his resignation.

The former chief of department for the New York City Police, Harrison was an appointment of Democrat Steve Bellone, who cannot run for reelection due to the county’s term limit law. Succeeding Bellone is Republican Edward Romaine, the Brookhaven supervisor, who said he will seek a new commissioner once he assumes office in January. His nominee will have to be approved by the county legislature, which has maintained its GOP majority in an election where crime was a major issue.

Suffolk Police Department Commissioner Rodney Harrison File Photo

The Bellone administration made assurances that the Gilgo murder investigation would not be impacted by the loss of the police commissioner. A suspect in the case, Massapequa Park architect Rex Heurmann, was arrested after District Attorney Raymond Tierney reinvigorated a task force that included Harrision. The commissioner drew a letter of rebuke from Tierney after appearing at a press conference with attorney John Ray, who represents some of the Gilgo victim families, announcing new evidence in the case.

Suffolk’s former top cop began his career with the NYPD as a cadet in 1991. He rose through the ranks and was named the first black Chief of Detectives in the department’s 175-year history. He hasn’t given any indication of his future plans. Deputy Police Commissioner Risco Mention-Lewis and Chief of Department Robert Waring are expected to run the Suffolk department during the transition. The police commissioner earns $235,502 per year.