Suffolk County Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart is stepping down next month to take a job at Hofstra University.

She was the first woman to lead the department and she served in the position for three years.

Commissioner Hart was interviewed extensively for News 12's Gilgo Unsolved special. 

Hart also spent more than 21 years with the FBI and headed the Long Island Gang Task Force before working with Suffolk PD.

When Hart took over the Suffolk PD, the 2,500-member force had seen some turmoil. The department was being monitored by the U.S. Department of Justice over its response to the racially motivated 2008 murder of an Ecuadorian immigrant. Other incidents she faced at the time included the conviction of former police chief James Burke for beating a suspect - then covering it up - and criticism of her predecessor Tim Sini.

Some of the issues Hart said she wanted to tackle when she took over as commissioner included the opioid crisis and eradicating gangs, such as MS-13.

Hart's announcement comes as Suffolk police and other law enforcement departments across the state were required to submit reform plans. The plan, which includes equipping officers with body cameras, was approved by county lawmakers on March 30 and submitted to the state.

Hart will leave her post on May 7.