An FBI crime fighter will shatter a glass ceiling when she becomes the first female police commissioner in Suffolk County.
Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone is set to tap Geraldine Hart as Suffolk County Police Commissioner Thursday — making her the first woman to become police commissioner in the region, officials said.
Hart, 50, is currently head of the FBI’s Long Island office. The 21-year veteran was recently in charge of the FBI’s Long Island gang task force, where she investigated killings carried out by MS-13 members and other violent street gangs.
She’s also led investigations on police corruption, white collar crime, terrorism and high-profile mob cases.
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Hart was involved in the arrest and prosecution of Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa, two former NYPD detectives who were ultimately convicted of being hitmen for the Lucchese crime family.
Hart has been working at the Long Island office since 2014.
“Geraldine possesses the integrity, competence, and excellence that we are looking for in someone to lead the Suffolk County Police Department,” Bellone said Thursday.
“As our next Police Commissioner, she will bring a fresh perspective and build on the progress that we have made over the last two years,” he said.
If lawmakers approve Bellone’s decision, Hart will be taking over the $171,000 job within two months, Newsday reported.
Hart said she was happy to receive the nomination.
“I am extremely optimistic about the future of the Suffolk County Police Department and what we can accomplish together,” she said during a press conference Thursday.
Hart was selected from more than 100 applicants from several states, officials said.
She replaces former Police Commissioner Tim Sini, who was elected Suffolk County district attorney last year.
Source: nydailynews.com
