Nassau County graduates inaugural class of provisional special deputy sheriffs as part of citizen force
The program has drawn controversy since it was first introduced earlier this year when some community members referred to it as an “armed militia”.
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Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman swore in over two dozen members of Nassau's first Provisional Special Deputy Sheriff Program.
The program has drawn controversy since it was first introduced earlier this year when some community members referred to it as an “armed militia."
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman says they’re serving as a standby force when needed by the county during an emergency or disaster declaration. Specifically, they would be tasked with guarding critical county infrastructure at a cost of $100 to $150 a day once activated by the county executive.
"We have vetted and trained our people in advance so that we're not scrambling if there's an emergency,” said Blakeman.
Graduates, which include many retired or former law enforcement, say the two months of training focused on civil and criminal law as well as Nassau-specific laws.
"What's the best way to serve our community? As a prior law enforcement, I want my community safe,” said graduate Nitish Joseph.
The county executive's office says the county does not issue weapons to the special deputies but that many of them have their own carry permits.
Nassau Legislative Minority Leader Delia DeRiggi-Whitton says she and the other members of the minority were surprised to learn the graduation took place Monday evening. She and her colleagues in the minority have outstanding questions about these special deputies' roles, training and authority.
"Why not be honest about where the money is coming from for the training. Answer all of our questions, how they're being trained, how they're being indemnified," she said.
She says Freedom Of Information Law requests about the program filed months ago have gone unanswered from the county executive.
"Let's talk about it. Let's have a hearing. Have it come before the legislature if you want to pay them $150 a day, you need to have it come before the legislature,” said DeRiggi-Whitton.
Members of the legislative minority tell News 12 they're working to take action against the program in the new year.
News 12 asked Nassau officials about who would be liable for special deputies’ actions, specifically regarding the use of a firearm in an incident that could injure someone. News 12 is still awaiting a response from the county attorney.
