Local PD’s get grants for interrogation technology

The Riverhead and Southampton police departments will be getting new video equipment to record interrogations thanks to a state grant announced by the governor’s office last month.

The two departments will share $43,450 with the Suffolk County Police Department to purchase equipment to upgrade existing technology in the departments, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said on Nov. 18.

“With these grants, New York State is giving local law enforcement the resources they need to enhance the integrity, fairness and effectiveness of our criminal justice system,” he said. “The practice of video recording interrogations helps prevent wrongful convictions and at the same time, protects investigators from false allegations.”

The grant will be divvied up by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office, officials said. The DA’s office will also have to develop new protocols with the three departments that detail the types of crimes that would require an interview with a suspect to be recorded.