Southampton Town appoints new police chief

SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — Southampton Town appointed a new police chief recently following the death of Chief Steven Skryneski.

Southampton Police Chief James Kiernan was named the city's new police chief at a special city board meeting on Dec. 8.

With his family and dozens of East End officers, officials and police chiefs looking on, Chief Kiernan was sworn in, with City Clerk Sandy Schermeier officiating.

He was appointed after a unanimous vote by the Southampton Town Board. He replaces Chief Skrynecki, who died in October after a brief illness.

Kiernan becomes the sixth police chief since the city of Southampton's police department was established in 1951, city officials said.

Kiernan was hired by the city as a police officer in 1997 after serving as both a social worker and a judicial officer. From there, he was appointed detective in 2004. promoted to sergeant in 2005; promoted to lieutenant in 2011; became detective lieutenant in 2018. and promoted to captain/executive in 2020.

“James Kiernan has earned this position after a distinguished career with the Southampton Police Department,” said Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman. “Board members and I have complete confidence in his ability to lead the department into the future with fairness. compassion and integrity.”

Councilor Tommy John Schiavoni, the council's liaison to the police department, added: “We are proud of our police force and it is appropriate that we make this promotion through the ranks of our police department. Chief Kiernan has spent a career serving the people of Southampton Town and we now look forward to the future of the Southampton Police Department under his leadership as Chief.”

Councilor Cyndi McNamara also said: “I have had the privilege of working with Jimmy Kiernan over the past year. He is a dedicated man of integrity who cares deeply about our community. I have the utmost confidence in his ability to lead as chief and look forward to working with him to make our police department the best it can be.”

City Patrolmen's Association President Erik Breitwieser spoke at the special meeting: “We are one hundred percent behind Chief Kiernan and we support him. On behalf of both the PBA and the Senior Officials Association, we look forward to working with him to continue the strong relationship we have forged.”

Kiernan thanked the city council for their confidence in him and for being strong advocates of law and order, working with the community and surrounding jurisdictions. “I pledge that this department will do all it can to ensure a safe environment for our residents, visitors, visitors and businesses. I appreciate your vote of confidence and support and I will do everything I can to deserve this honor.”

Skrynecki leaves a long legacy: The street outside the Catholic Church of St. Martin of Tours in Amityville was a sea of ​​blue in October as hundreds turned out to bid Skrynecki farewell.

Skrynecki died at age 69 after a battle with a rare and “deadly” cancer, his son Scott Skrynecki, also a Nassau County police officer, said as he gave an emotional eulogy for his father. His words were laced with fond memories, respect and even laughter as he shared some of the lighter moments of their lives together.

“We're here today to honor my father's life,” Scott Skrynecki said.

During Kiernan's time on the force, a lawsuit was filed against the city of Southampton, but ultimately, a judge ruled that there was no wrongdoing on the part of any Southampton city police officers in the arrest of a defendant accused of drug offenses in 2011.

The lawsuit involved plaintiff Bernard Cooks' alleged false arrest, malicious prosecution and illegal search pursuant to a January 2011 arrest by the Southampton Town Police Department, according to a Southampton Town release at the time.

In May 2012, the sentences of Bernard Cooks and Riverside resident Mohamed Proctor were vacated by Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota after his office, he said, found information that affected the credibility of an initially unnamed officer from the DA.

Proctor filed a lawsuit in 2010 seeking $50 million in damages, citing members of the now-disbanded Southampton police street crimes unit, including then-Sgt. James Kiernan, Officer Eric Sickles and Assistant District Attorney Andrew Heffernan. Proctor's case alleged that the evidence in the case was obtained illegally and he claimed that he was forced to sign a false confession.

At the time, Spota spokesman Robert Clifford said: “The allegations in the civil action are without merit.”

Wilson opened an investigation by Suffolk County police internal affairs investigators. Kiernan was suspended for six months before the council reinstated him over Wilson's objections on November 1, 2012.

“After a full trial, Judge Wexler determined that the Southampton Police, and in particular Officer Eric Sickles, had more than sufficient evidence to support probable cause to arrest and prosecute Mr. Cooks for possession of crack with intent to sell, possession marijuana, criminal possession of drug paraphernalia and false impersonation,” the city said in a statement at the time.