New officers boost Freeport Police Department numbers

The largest group of police officer candidates ever sworn in at once stood before Mayor Robert Kennedy on Friday, Dec. 3, as he administered their oaths of office in the large conference room on the upper level of Freeport Village Hall.

Eight candidates were inducted as Freeport police officers. Three came over from the New York Police Department and will undergo field training here. The other five entered the Nassau County Police Academy on Monday.

Two Freeport officers received promotions: Police Officer Shawn Randall to Detective, and Lieutenant Donnie Ethier to Detective Lieutenant.

Introducing the event, Kennedy said that the Freeport Police Department would jump in numbers to 107, the largest force in Freeport history.

“Freeport’s one of the most diverse communities in this country – 30% Hispanic, 30% African American, 30% White, and 10% mixed,” Kennedy said,  “and yet we do not see the unrest many other cities and villages have experienced throughout this country. I’m proud to say that Freeport has the best police department in New York State. Our statistics prove it. The implementation of Operation Safe Streets is responsible for removing about 1,500 illegal vehicles from our streets, including uninsured, stolen plates, stolen vehicles, revoked licenses, and in one case someone who murdered somebody in Virgina stole a car, drove it through Freeoprt, and our officers picked him up within two blocks.”

Kennedy said Freeport was the first in the state to outfit all police officers in the field with body cameras.

All officers also have tasers to prevent use of deadly force, particularly when dealing with emotionally disturbed individuals.

“In addition, we have expanded our police department by at least 25 in the last several years,” he said, “and it has resulted in a 56% reduction in crime. Our police officers are here to protect the residents, businesses, and community.”

Police Chief Michael Smith welcomed and congratulated the officers.

“Treat everybody with respect,” admonished Smith, “and be courteous to everyone. Treat them as if they were members of your family.”

Family and friends filled the conference room.  Kennedy first swore in Ethier and Randall, reading out an impressive resume for each of the two men.

Before swearing in the eight recruits, Kennedy said, “All the officers here today were selected by Nassau County Civil Service. Many are Freeport residents. Three of these officers were employed by the New York City Police Department and have abundant years of experience. … The Village of Freeport has reduced crime by 56% over the last 6 years. I believe having additional officers and specialized units has contributed to this success.We now have 107 officers.”

Kennedy mentioned the recent installation of License Plate reader equipment as part of the crime reduction, and encouraged the new officers to get involved with the Adopt-a-Cop program, saying seven or eight current officers had been fourth graders in the program when it was instituted.

Kennedy also praised the Community Affairs Division that was instituted during the past year. Its three specially trained officers attend civic and religious functions in the community to encourage trusting relations between police and residents. They also meet with individual residents to help resolve issues among neighbors.

“We are the second largest village in New York State,” Kennedy said. “We have 12 thousand homes in our four square miles, two power plants, a water department with 14 water wells, two water tanks, and an automated filtration system. We have an industrial area, waterfront businesses along the Nautical Mile, hundreds of businesses throughout Freeport, 345 volunteer firefighters. You have a tremendous responsibility. You’ll be held accountable, and you’ll be rewarded for your successes. The police are here to protect our community and our residents, and I ask you to enforce the rules and laws fairly among everybody.”

Quality of life, Kennedy said, was not just about road repairs and sanitation, but about the safety and security of parents and children.

“Trust goes two ways between you and the community,” Kennedy told the candidates, who were seated together in one section of the room. “Work with our residents. I expect you to introduce yourselves to our residents once available, and when you’re on patrol, stop the car and say hello.”

The recruits were then called from their seats one by one, while Mayor Kennedy briefly summed each one’s personal accomplishments.

Peter Tomasicchio, David Tavarez, Paul Ribaudo, Emmanuel Padilla, Pablo Fuentes, Matthew Karp, Nicholas Calandro, and Christian Breitweiser then stood shoulder to shoulder, raising their right hands and repeating the words of the oath after their mayor.

When the swearing-in was accomplished, the room exploded in applause. The recruits were surrounded with hugs and congratulations.

The crowd slowly filtered from the room through the great double doors and into the space above the double-sided staircase, laughing, talking, taking photos, men and women in uniform mixed with others in jeans and sneakers, sharing a jovial camaraderie.