SUFFOLK COUNTY SHERIFF ERROL D. TOULON, JR. SWORN IN FOR SECOND TERM

Date: March 23, 2022

For Immediate Release

SUFFOLK SHERIFF ERROL TOULON, JR. SWORN IN FOR SECOND TERM

Oath of Office Administered by AG James

Sheriff Toulon Outlines Agenda for Second Term and Announces Major New Initiatives

(BRENTWOOD, NY) - On Friday, March 18, 2022, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office held a formal inauguration ceremony marking the second term of Dr. Errol D. Toulon, Jr. as Suffolk County Sheriff. The ceremony was held at the Van Nostrand Theater on the campus of Suffolk County Community College – Grant Campus. Sheriff Toulon was given the oath of office by New York State Attorney General Letitia James. The event was rescheduled from its original date in December due to COVID-19.

NYS AG James administers the Oath of Office to Sheriff Toulon.

During his inaugural address, Sheriff Toulon outlined his agenda for his second term which included an announcement about a first-of-its-kind intelligence network spearheaded by the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office. Called the In Custody Intelligence Network, this jail/prison intelligence sharing network will enable the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office to have a greater footprint with law enforcement partners, and more specifically, with corrections professionals in the jail and prison system in New York State and across state lines. Former Congressman Peter King will assist with this network in an advisory capacity. Sheriff Toulon stated, “Recently, I was appointed by the Major County Sheriffs of America to a position on their Intelligence Committee. I am one of only 15 sheriffs throughout the nation to be a part of this committee. Through discussion and meetings, our goal is to share intelligence and discuss trends that are occurring in our local facilities and in the communities.”

Sheriff Toulon also announced an expansion of the Sheriff’s Transition and Reentry Team (S.T.A.R.T) Resource Center, with the full support of Presiding Officer McCaffrey. “We have identified a larger space in which to move our S.T.A.R.T. Resource Center to increase services provided. If we can help these individuals address their issues, there will be less crime and victims in our community,” said Sheriff Toulon.

Sheriff Toulon gives his Inaugural Address.

Sheriff Toulon spoke about the link between crime and mental health and substance abuse. “From speaking to countless justice involved individuals and the families of those incarcerated, I have pinpointed many patterns in the prison pipeline. A link I cannot ignore is the one between crime and mental health and substance abuse issues. There is both a drug and a mental health epidemic on Long Island and I want to do all I can to help solve it. In the coming months, I will be creating a robust mental health initiative to try to expand access to services, drug and rehabilitation programs inside and outside of the jail to help put an end to this tragic cycle.

Featured speakers included:

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer

New York State Attorney General Letitia James

Former US Congressman Peter King

Tracey Edwards, Long Island Regional Director of the NAACP

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