RIVERHEAD, N.Y. (WCBS 880) — Suffolk County Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart announced Wednesday that she is stepping down after three years on the job, according to a Newsday report.
Hart, the first woman to lead the Suffolk County Police Department, will be leaving her post on May 7 to take a job at Hofstra University, Newsday reported.
“I wanted to leave this department better than when I got here,” Hart told the Long Island paper. “I hope I have accomplished that.”
The 53-year-old police commissioner will leave the job at a pivotal moment for the police force, which is in the process of implementing a number of reform plans as part of a statewide directive from Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
A 1,000-page plan was approved by the Suffolk County Legislature in late March and submitted to state officials.
Hart told Newsday she wanted to remain in her position until officials could complete the reform plan.
Chief of Department Stuart Cameron, the highest-ranking uniformed officer, will serve as acting commissioner until a replacement is named, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone told the outlet.
Hart says that her new position at Hofstra University will allow her to spend more time with her two children.
She told Newsday that during her time as commissioner, she has tried to preach a message of accountability.
“We say we should take care of each other as members of the police family, but that doesn’t mean the blue wall,” Hart told the outlet. “The good officers in this department – the vast majority of officers – do not want bad officers besmirching their good name.”
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