New Police Chief on Hold

The Southampton Town Police Department’s new chief will not report for full duty until mid-March, two months later than initially expected.

Supervisor Jay Schneiderman said that as town officials were finalizing arrangements with the Civil Service it came to light that Steven E. Skrynecki would have to use up his accrued vacation time as chief of the Nassau County Police Department before starting in his new position in Southampton, or forfeit it.

“He had a lot of accrued time, so he’s still technically on the books there,” Mr. Schneiderman said. He retired on Thursday and received a big sendoff from Nassau County police. 

In the meantime, Chief Skrynecki is working two days a week in Southampton as a consultant and being paid no more than $10,000. Chief Robert Pearce retired at the end of September, and although Mr. Skrynecki was named chief then, he was not due to start until Jan. 16. Capt. Lawrence Schurek was named acting chief and has been running the department in his absence.

Mr. Schneiderman said the predicament actually saves the town money that it can use toward Police Department equipment. The town has saved roughly $100,000 by not having replaced Chief Pearce immediately and by hiring a chief who will not receive a pension or health benefits from the town, he said.

“It’s really not hampering the department’s abilities in any way,” the supervisor said, referring to the slower pace this time of year. “I’m happy he’s coming on full time in March. If that were pushed until July or August, I’d have a real problem with that.”

“Captain Schurek is doing an excellent job heading the department,” Mr. Schneiderman said. “They are working very close together.”

During the northeaster earlier this week, the department’s two leaders instituted a policy to update the supervisor every two hours on storm-related activity. Chief Skrynecki has also been attending community meetings, such as the Flanders-Riverside-Northampton Community Association’s and one on planning for the 2018 U.S. Open golf tournament at Shinnecock Hills.

The Bridgehampton Citizens Advisory Committee took notice of the chief’s delayed start at a meeting on Monday night. “It doesn’t bode well,” Pamela Harwood, the chairwoman, said.

The committee has been complaining for many months about what members have said is a lack of police presence and traffic enforcement in the hamlet. The group said it would ask Chief Skrynecki to attend a meeting and discuss the issue further when he comes on full time.