Nassau County Govt Bruce Blakeman swore in 26 residents as new “particular deputies” who shall be activated to help the county throughout emergencies, comparable to a terrorist assault or a pure catastrophe.
The provisional particular deputies — a lot of them retired cops, and navy and emergency responders — are licensed to hold weapons and obtain firearms coaching.
“I need to thanks for stepping as much as the plate and being a part of our security and safety in Nassau County,” Blakeman stated on the commencement ceremony Monday night time in Mineola.
“The primary job of a public official is public security, public well being, and public welfare.”
Critics have slammed this system, which falls beneath the Nassau County Sheriff’s Workplace, as Blakeman’s non-public militia.
However he dismissed the brickbats, saying the particular deputies will complement — not supplant — police and emergency responders, comparable to by offering protection at energy vegetation, hospitals, and faith-based establishments.
Their activation will assist police and emergency responders do their jobs, the county govt stated.
“We’re not scrambling if there is an emergency,” stated Blakeman.
The deputies don’t receives a commission except they’re activated.
“I hope and pray I by no means should activate you,” he instructed the deputies.
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