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Suffolk Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart announced Wednesday, April 14, that she is stepping down after three years on the job to become the director of public safety at Hofstra University.
Hart, the first-ever woman to lead the Suffolk Police Department, took over just three years ago when the 2,500-member force was in a state of turmoil following a series of corruption scandals.
She also faced a rise in MS-13 street violence and murders and the effects of the opioid epidemic.
Hart, who worked for the FBI for 21 years and was head of the Long Island Gang Task Force, will officially leave the $175,288-salary job on Friday, May 7.
The surprise announcement of her resignation comes just weeks after police across the state were required to submit reform plans.
Suffolk's 1,000-page plan includes equipping officers with body cameras, among other improvements, which has been approved by the county last month and has been submitted to the state for final approval.
Hart, who succeeded Timothy Sini when he was elected district attorney, said she felt it was important to stay on the job until the plan, ordered by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, was completed.
Suffolk Police Chief Stuart Cameron will serve as acting commissioner until a replacement for Hart is named.
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