| Agencyname: | Southold Town Police Department |
| Commonname: | Southold Police |
| Abbreviation: | STPD |
| Logocaption: | Logo |
| Badge: | Southold-police-badge.png |
| Badgecaption: | Patrol officer shield |
| Formedyear: | 1640 |
| Employees: | 69 (2019)[1] |
| Budget: | USD$8.4 million (2020)[2] |
| Country: | United States |
| Divtype: | State |
| Divname: | New York |
| Subdivtype: | Town |
| Subdivname: | Southold |
| Map: | Southold-town-map.gif |
| Sizearea: | 403.7sqmi |
| Sizepopulation: | 20,114 (2016) |
| Governingbody: | Southold Town Board |
| Police: | Yes |
| Headquarters: | 41405 Route 25 Peconic, New York 11958 |
| Sworntype: | Police Officer |
| Sworn: | 49 (2019) |
| Unsworntype: | Civilian |
| Unsworn: | 20 (2019) |
| Chief1name: | Martin Flatley |
| Chief1position: | Chief of Police |
| Website: | Official website |
The Southold Town Police Department (STPD), commonly referred to as Southold Police, is the primary law enforcement agency within the town of Southold, New York. The Southold Police Department also operates an emergency service dispatch center, servicing two police departments and eight local fire departments.
Law enforcement in the Town of Southold dates back to 1640 when the land was first settled. The land was purchased under the authority of the New Haven colony, and Southold's town was managed similarly to other colonies under New Haven's control. The local government existed through the church, and all cases, criminal and civil, were heard by a court of judges following the "laws of God." The court established rules regulating highways, property, and common areas. These rules were enforced by every man in the town, who were required to carry their own guns and ammunition. When called upon, the local militia assembled in the town to enforce laws.[3]
The town's police department, as it exists today, was established under Southold Town Code § 51 on September 29, 1964. The town's code created a structure for the standing police force, including the department's authority and duties.[4]
In November 1994, the Southold Police Department's authority expanded to include the Village of Greenport. The Greenport Village Police Department disbanded after a series of scandals led to a grand jury investigation.[5]
In 2017, the Southold Police Department began the process of accreditation with the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services. The accreditation standardizes law enforcement throughout the state, bringing transparency, increased cooperation, standardized training, and more benefits to the department. The process included adjusting the department's standing rules and regulations to the state's standard. Southold Police is the last police department in Suffolk County to seek accreditation with the state.[6]
The Southold Police Department patrols three regional sectors, including Plum Island and Fishers Island.[7] The Southold Police Department's Marine Division also works with the United States Coast Guard to patrol and enforce maritime law in Orient Harbor, Greenport Harbor, the Peconic Bay, and a portion of the Long Island Sound.[8]
Regional Patrol Sectors
All police officers within the Southold Police Department are appointed by the Southold Town Board. When additional services are required, the Town Board may appoint temporary police officers, known as special policemen, with the same power and authority as a regular police officer. While the Southold Police Department does not have a standing Police Commissioner, the Town Board may establish a Board of Police Commissioners, consisting of one to three town residents, to oversee the operations of the police department.[4]
In 2019, the Southold Police Department responded to 18,776 reports of crime and made 139 arrests. The department also responded to 836 motor vehicle accidents and assisted local fire departments in 2,028 aid cases. A 2019 safety index combining FBI crime statistics and law enforcement employee to resident ratio rated the Town of Southold as the 4th safest community in New York State.[9]
| Aggravated Assault | 10 | 10 | 11 | |
| Burglary | 26 | 38 | 28 | |
| Larceny | 178 | 171 | 171 | |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 8 | 7 | 7 | |
| Driving Under Influence | 58 | 52 | 63 | |
| Domestic Violence | 95 | 68 | 71 | |
| Rape | 3 | 3 | 4 | |
| Controlled Substance Sale | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Controlled Substance Possession | 59 | 38 | 25 | |
| Total Arrests | 236 | 164 | 139 |
The Detective Division is responsible for investigating the town's misdemeanor crimes and serious felonies. The division's sergeant and three detectives assist other officers, respond to serious crimes, and work closely with other local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Detectives are trained to handle crime scene investigations, including evidence identification, fingerprint collection, photography, and interview techniques. The division also investigates illegal drug crimes and participates in the Suffolk County District Attorney's office East End Drug Task Force. A detective is also assigned to the United States Marshal's Regional Fugitive Task Force to assist in the apprehension of fugitives.[13]
The Marine Division patrols Southold's shoreline and enforces state Navigational Law, Environmental Conservation Law, and Southold Town Codes, including the regulating of fishing, wetlands, boats, and beaches. The division has three full-time bay constables with three boats to aid in marine search and rescue, beach patrol, and Homeland Security patrols. The department also maintains a Scuba Dive Team, composed of police officers who are certified for open water dives. The Scuba Dive Team assists in rescue operations, evidence recovery, and other police functions.[13]
The Highway Patrol Unit responds to traffic safety issues, including speeding, driving under the influence, and reckless driving complaints, throughout the town. Southold Police's Highway Patrol is responsible for patrolling portions of New York State's Route 25 and Suffolk County Route 48.[13]
The Southold Police Department operates a single K-9 dog handled by Officer Frank Mele, who founded the unit in 2004 after the purchase of AJAX, a canine from North Fork Bank and Trust. After AJAX passed away in 2010, the Hudson City Savings Bank donated HUDZIN, a canine cross-trained in narcotics, to the department.[13]
The Community Response Unit participates in several events and activities that bring the police department closer to the community. The unit hosts a Drug Abuse Resistance Education program, also known as the D.A.R.E. Program, to inform the community about the use of illegal drugs. The unit also offers child safety seat inspections, training in alcohol, drug, and crime prevention, and bicycle safety courses. Within the Community Response Unit is the department's Juvenile Aid Bureau, which works closely with local schools to educate students, parents, and teachers on drug and alcohol abuse. The Juvenile Aid Bureau also provides driver's education classes and assists school counselors.[13]
Formed in 2001, the Bicycle Patrol Unit has over 10 officers trained by the Suffolk County Police Department and certified by New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services as bicycle patrol officers. The unit patrols the town's major events and festivals, including an annual maritime festival.[13]
The Southold Police Department operates the primary emergency service dispatch center for the North Fork of Long Island. Located in the basement of the department's headquarters, the dispatch center services eight local fire departments and two police departments, including the Shelter Island Town Police Department. The center operates with no less than two radio operators at a time. Whenever services at the dispatch center are interrupted, calls automatically transfer to the East Hampton Village Police Department's emergency service dispatch center.[14] [15]
In 2017, local IGA supermarket owner Charles Reichert donated US$340,000 to renovate the department's dispatch center. The renovation included upgraded technology and the addition of a radio dispatch station, bringing the total up to four.[15]
As of 2017, the Southold Police Department's patrol vehicles use a two-tone navy blue and white body. The department's patch is emblazoned on each front door with the words "POLICE" and "TOWN OF SOUTHOLD" spanning both doors of the vehicle. The words "DIAL 911 EMERGENCY" are printed on each rear side panel above the gas intake. Patrol supervisors use an all-white body with the same design as regular patrol vehicles. Traffic control vehicles use the department's older color scheme: an all-white body with two blue stripes arching from the rear tail lights to the front wheels. The words "TRAFFIC CONTROL" are printed in red on the vehicle's door above a blue "SOUTHOLD TOWN" inscription.
Southold Police Department vehicles use license plate numbers in the 800 range. Specialized units use license plate prizes, such as HP-0 (Highway Patrol), CRU-0 (Community Response Unit), M-0 (Marine Division).
| Vehicle | Image | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Police Interceptor Sedan | Sector Patrol Highway Patrol Community Response | ||
| Ford Explorer Special Service Vehicle | Sector Patrol | ||
| Patrol Supervisor | |||
| Chevrolet Tahoe | Patrol Supervisor | ||
| Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor | Traffic Control | ||
| Ford F-59 | Command | ||
| World Cat 270 HT | Marine Division | ||
| World Cat 266 SC | Marine Division | ||
| Boston Whaler 240 Dauntless | Marine Division |