Mineola, N.Y.-- Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi, joined today by Police Commissioner James Lawrence announced the development of a multi-year plan that will include the hiring of 405 new police officers in Nassau County over the next 24 months. This announcement comes one day after the County Executive received a staffing report from Police Commissioner James Lawrence.

"Nassau County continues to have one of the lowest crime rates of any municipality with a population of over 1 million people, thanks to the efforts of the men and women of the Nassau County Police Department," said County Executive Suozzi. "The addition of police officers will continue that trend and Nassau will remain one of the safest places in the country to live."

Several factors contributed to the development of the hiring plan and they include:

• The conclusion of the PBA Arbitration, where Nassau County gained concessions that will result in the equivalent of 125 additional police officers on patrol effective January 1, 2004. This will create a greater presence in all of the Police Commands
• Continued contractual mandates for staffing
• Anticipated level of attrition throughout the ranks of the Nassau County Police Department

The multi-year plan recommends the hiring of 205 officers in 2004 and an additional 100 new police officers to be hired every Janaury 1st from 2005 forward. The number may fluctuate depending on attrition, crime rates, further analysis and Nassau County's fiscal condition.

Additionally, County Executive Suozzi has directed the Police Commissioner to work with an outside consulting firm to conduct the first-ever review of the Nassau County Police Department from an independent Police Management source.

"Quality personnel are is a key ingredient to a law enforcement agency's success," said Commissioner Lawrence. "The hiring of 405 officers over the next 24 months reflects the Suozzi administration's commitment to providing a service.