LI Police Chief Reinstated After Pandemic Party Suspension

SOUTHOLD, NY — Southold Town Police Chief Martin Flatley was reinstated this week at a special meeting of the town board after a suspension in August related to a police sergeant's retirement party during a time when pandemic protocols were in place that had some residents seeing red.

On Monday, Flatley spoke at the brief meeting at Town Hall. He said he had agreed to enter into a settlement agreement with the Town of Southold regarding a retirement party that had taken place on the Zuhoski family farm in Cutchogue on May 29, 2020.

"I apologize to all the residents of the town and, in particular, to those residents who called 911 to register complaints in regard to these activities. They deserved a professional response from the police department, which they did not receive. The breakdown in training and communication, and failure to follow police and procedure was inexcusable, and understandably, eroded the people's trust in their police department."

As chief, Flatley said he assumed the ultimate responsibility for his actions, "or lack thereof," and the actions of the 70-plus members of the department regarding the matter. "Moving forward, I will ensure this type of activity will never occur under my leadership. I will work to restore the trust and leadership that all Southold Town residents deserve to have with their police department."

The town board then voted unanimously to reinstate Flatley.

Southold Town Councilwoman Sarah Nappa thanked Southold Town Police Capt. James Ginas for assuming Flatley's duties over the past months. "He really stepped up and fulfilled a lot of responsibilities," she said. "He was put into a put into position he wasn't familiar with and dove in headfirst, doing all the research."

Ginas said, circumstances, aside, it had been his honor to serve.

Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell thanked Ginas and all the police officers for all their hard work and dedication.

Added Southold Town Councilwoman Jill Doherty: "This department has always worked well together and really pulled together when things happen."

When asked for comment after the meeting, Russell told Patch: "Any disciplinary action with Chief Flatley is over. The matter has been settled. He accepted responsibility and the book is closed. I have worked with him for over a decade. In fact, the entire time he's been chief — and a damn good one. Time to move forward and get back to the business of the town."

Flatley was suspended without pay in August pending a hearing after a controversial retirement party during the pandemic when COVID-19 protocols were in place.

After a town board discussion in July on an independent private investigator's report regarding the 2020 retirement party of a Southold police sergeant — where a crowd gathered, many not wearing masks, despite social distancing protocols, sparking a public outcry.

The independent review included scrutiny of the events surrounding a party held on May 29, 2020 for Southold Police Sgt. Steven Zuhoski, who had retired that day from the Southold Police Department, Russell said at the time.

In the days following the party, the town received numerous complaints that the police department failed to respond to calls from the public complaining that social distancing protocols were not being followed and that fireworks were being shot off, Russell said.

"It is of paramount importance that the people of the Town of Southold are able to maintain trust and confidence in their local police department, and local government," Russell said after the meeting, at the time. "As a board we decided that the best way to maintain that trust and confidence was to retain an independent investigator."

Nappa brought the issue up at a Southold town board work session at the time and mentioned former Gov. Andrew Cuomo's social distancing protocols, which had put the brakes on social gatherings of more than 10 people.

"Members of our community have missed birthday parties, graduations, weddings, births, funerals except for a select group who felt they are above the law because they are the law —untouchable, privileged. No one is above the law," she said.

She called for an investigation of the incident and asked for coronavirus testing of town employees who were present.

Flatley, in July, said he was not privy to the executive session meeting where the matter was discussed so he was unable to comment. Zuhoski could not immediately be reached for comment.