[Amended 11-23-1976 by L.L. No. 23-1976]
A. Practices of discrimination against the citizens of Suffolk County
because of race, creed, color, national origin or sex are a matter
of public concern. Such practices threaten not only the rights and
proper privileges of inhabitants of the county but menace the institutions
and foundations of a free democratic state.
B. The County Legislature finds that the existence of such practices
warrants the enactment of the following provisions of law.
Pursuant to § 239-o of the General Municipal Law, there
is hereby created the Suffolk County Human Rights Commission.
[Amended 2-5-1980 by L.L.
No. 3-1980]
It shall be the duty of the Commission:
A. To foster mutual respect and understanding among all groups in the
community, regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, sex,
age, disability, marital status or sexual orientation.
[Amended 3-1-1988 by L.L.
No. 5-1988]
B. To make such studies in any field of human relationship in the community
as in the judgment of the Commission will aid in effectuating its
general purposes and, where desirable, to make the results of such
studies public.
C. To inquire into incidents of tension and conflict among or between
various groups arising out of race, creed, color, national origin,
sex, age, disability, marital status or sexual orientation and to
take such action as may be designated to alleviate such tensions and
conflicts.
[Amended 3-1-1988 by L.L.
No. 5-1988]
D. To conduct and recommend such educational programs as in the judgment
of the Commission will increase goodwill among inhabitants of the
community and open new opportunities into all phases of community
life for all inhabitants.
E. To receive, accept, use, administer and expend public grants and
private gifts, donations or bequests and other payments, goods and
services when authorized by local law or resolution of the County
Legislature.
F. To investigate complaints and to report them to the New York State
Division of Human Rights and/or to other public bodies so empowered
any such cases alleging unlawful discrimination practices under Article
15 of the New York State Executive Law and related antidiscrimination
laws.
[Added 3-1-1988 by L.L.
No. 5-1988]
G. To hold hearings, compel the attendance of witnesses and the production
of books and papers, administer oaths and affirmations and take the
testimony of any person under oath in connection with any matter brought
before the Commission by the Executive Director, and in connection
therewith to require the production of any evidence relating to any
matter under investigation or in question before the Commission. Subpoenas
may be issued through the Suffolk County Department of Law pursuant
to this subsection only if authorized by an affirmative vote of at
least a majority of the entire membership of the Commission directed
specifically to such an authorization. The Commission, after the completion
of any public hearing held in connection herewith, shall issue a written
report to the County Executive and each member of the County Legislature
setting forth the facts found by it and its recommendations. At any
hearing before said Commission, or any committee thereof, a witness
shall have the right to be advised by counsel present during such
hearing. The Commission hearings shall be held separate and apart
from the Commission’s investigations, functions, and/or any
other work-sharing agreements in effect with the New York State Division
of Human Rights. Any such hearing held before the Commission or any
committee thereof shall be conducted in conformity with Article 7
of the New York Public Officers Law (Open Meetings Law).
[Added 6-19-1998 by L.L.
No. 12-1998]
H. To authorize, by an affirmative vote of at least a majority of the entire membership of the Commission, the delegation of the power to hold hearings as set forth in Subsection
G of this section to any group of five or more members of the Commission acting as a committee thereof. In the event that such a delegation of authority is granted by the Commission, then the Commission shall designate one member of said committee to act as hearing chairman and as the officer who may administer oaths and affirmations in connection with any matter brought before the Commission by the Executive Director.
[Added 6-19-1998 by L.L.
No. 12-1998]
I. To maintain a bureau or satellite office on the east end of Suffolk
County (Riverhead, Southold, Shelter Island, East Hampton or Southampton)
on at least a part-time basis, at the direction of the Executive Director.
[Added 6-19-1998 by L.L.
No. 12-1998]
J. To accept
any complaints brought against the Suffolk County Police Department
for misconduct and refer the complaint to the Internal Affairs Division
of the Suffolk County Police Department. For purposes of this chapter,
police misconduct shall include, but not be limited to. violations
of the standards set forth in Policy 320 of the Suffolk Countv Police
Department Policy Manual as well as examples of misconduct contained
within Policy 320 of the Suffolk County Police Department Policy Manual.
[Added 12-7-2021 by L.L. No. 12-2022]
K. To review,
in tandem, all police misconduct complaints that are under investigation
by the Internal Affairs Division of the Suffolk County Police Department.
[Added 12-7-2021 by L.L. No. 12-2022]
L. To offer
recommendations on additional steps to be taken by Internal Affairs
as part of a particular police misconduct investigation.
[Added 12-7-2021 by L.L. No. 12-2022]