Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison said Thursday an “outside agency” was conducting an “active investigation” into County Legis’ allegations. Rob Trotta that the County Police Benevolent Association union is improperly participating in political campaigns.
Harrison, speaking during a contentious session of the legislature’s Public Safety Committee, declined to say which agency was investigating the allegations or provide other details when questioned by Trotta (R-Fort Salonga).
“I know there’s an ongoing investigation that I can’t talk too much about,” Harrison said. “I am being directed by this agency to give me some information on how to proceed once they have completed their investigation.”
During the committee hearing, Trotta accused the union of violating department rules and procedures, which prohibit police officers from appearing in uniform to support political candidates.
Trotta said PBA officials are asking for donations to the union-affiliated super PAC, the Long Island Law Enforcement Foundation.
The Super PAC spent millions of dollars on TV and cell phone ads in 2021, including more than $126,000 against Trotta’s reelection campaign.
Trotta filed a complaint with the Suffolk County Board of Ethics in December, saying he had informed Harrison on at least four occasions that police officers had broken the department’s rules by making such appearances.
The three-paragraph complaint reads, “I believe Commissioner Harrison has broken his oath of office and committed serious ethical misconduct on his part.”
Trotta, a former Suffolk County Police detective and longtime critic of the PBA, grilled Harrison Thursday over Trotta’s refusal to take action against the union.
“They came here vowing accountability, transparency and doing the right thing,” said Trotta, a former Suffolk Police detective and member of the Public Safety Committee.
“So if I file a complaint with you and nothing happens, what should I think about it?” asked Trotta how a citizen’s complaint would be dealt with.
John Gross, an attorney for Hauppauge law firm Ingerman Smith, LLP, which represents the district’s ethics board, said Thursday the board had no comment.
Suffolk County PBA President Noel DiGerolamo, who attended the Legislative Committee meeting, said the union did not violate state statutes or police department rules.
“He complained to everyone … and no one found credibility in his lewd allegations,” DiGerolamo said of Trotta.
“Mr. Trotta cannot accept the fact that he is wrong and doesn’t understand the law,” DeGerolamo told Newsday.
Trotta also told Newsday Thursday that a political mailer against him, sent out by the Long Island Law Enforcement Foundation, allegedly included Suffolk County police officers in uniform.
DeGerolamo declined to answer questions about the Super PAC mailer or specific donations.
During Thursday’s committee hearing, Trotta infuriated some other Republicans with his way of questioning Harrison, and because he threatened to play an audio recording, he said he had a private conversation with Harrison, although he ended up doing it haven’t played.
“I am disappointed with the behavior of the legislator Trotta. I found it inappropriate and unprofessional and upset that he is recording conversations with people he deals with in government,” Legis said. Kevin McCaffery (R-Lindenhurst), the leader of the Legislature, told Newsday.
“I think there are more professional ways to get his point across,” McCaffrey said.
Vera Chinese reports on Suffolk County government and politics.
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