W.H. wants to keep its POP cops

For nearly two decades, the 5th Precinct’s Problem Oriented Policing Unit has consisted of a group of four officers, with whom the West Hempstead community has become comfortable working and trusting. That relationship became threatened last week when three of the unit’s officers were relocated to the precinct’s patrol unit as part of a plan created by County Executive Ed Mangano to reduce the police department’s overtime costs and prevent county taxes from increasing.

“My administration has worked tirelessly to rein in government spending and protect residents from a property tax increase,” Mangano said. “I advised County unions that labor savings were necessary for 2011 and that if they were not achieved voluntarily, I would have no choice but to achieve these savings with layoffs and other actions. Because additional concessions have not been volunteered in 2011, it is necessary to issue formal layoffs and redeployment of police. Simply put, if everyone gave a little, no one would give a lot.”

Mangano’s Police Redeployment Plan, which is expected to save more than $9 million, restructures the Nassau County Police Department by redeploying 166 employees, including 109 officers, 19 supervisors and 38 civilian employees. In addition to designating only one POP officer per county precinct, the plan redirects the police department’s commanding officers to attend community meetings, and assigns supervisors as liaisons to villages and community groups.

According to Mangano’s office, the department will have the flexibility to use directed patrols to address problems that have been previously addressed by POP officers, and to redeploy personnel to the POP Unit. However, some community leaders say it won’t be the same.