Radios Return

Suffolk County police are getting their AM-FM stereos back. After years of ordering cars without radios, Suffolk police administrators have decided to allow stereos back in its police fleet. New cars were ordered without stereos because commanders believed it would distract officers from their work. But as more and more communities, including Nassau County and New York City, allowed stereos back into patrol cars, county officials conceded that bucking the trend was difficult. Suffolk Chief of Department Joseph Monteith says for the first couple of years they were able to order new patrol cars without the stereos but now they have to pay to have them removed. After getting a request from the union, Monteith said the department reviewed its policy and decided to reverse it. Suffolk Police Commissioner John Gallagher admits it was a chore to take the radios out and said they actually do help officers who have to monitor traffic and weather conditions. But he says, supervisors will be watching closely to make sure officers don't abuse the privilege.