Incoming Republican Legislature Majority Demands Bellone Stop Politicization of Suffolk Police
On behalf of the incoming 12-member Republican Suffolk County Legislative Caucus, Leader Kevin McCaffrey warned County Executive Steve Bellone to not reappoint defeated District Attorney Timothy Sini as Police Commissioner. He issued the following statement on behalf of the Republican Caucus:
“On Tuesday night, Suffolk County voters sent an unmistakable and loud message that they want strong policing and want to keep the politics out of law enforcement. As part of that message, voters overwhelmingly voted to elect Ray Tierney as Suffolk County’s next District Attorney and rejected Tim Sini.
Twice, Tim Sini has used official law enforcement positions given to him by County Executive Steve Bellone to run for political office. First, he ran for the Legislature as Deputy County Executive for Public Safety, and second, ran for District Attorney as the sitting Police Commissioner. There will not be a third time. This is a new day in Suffolk County and the political games end now.
The Republican majority will not allow the Suffolk County Police Department to be politicized yet again and provide Tim Sini the opportunity to run for office for a third time from an official position. We need a Police Commissioner, not a professional office-seeker. If County Executive Bellone nominates a qualified law enforcement professional who is the product of a non-partisan search, as a Caucus, we promise to give that nominee a full and fair hearing and consideration. But under no circumstances will any member of this Caucus vote to allow Tim Sini to use Suffolk County law enforcement as a stepping stone for a third time, and we will use every aspect of the power of our veto-proof majority to stand with our police.”
