Flatley sworn in as new Southold police chief

With his family at his side and a full complement of officers waiting to honor him, Southold Police Captain Martin Flatley took the oath to become Southold’s new police chief Tuesday night.

“I usually have a script for the oath. I don’t have it with me so I’m going to wing it,” said Town Supervisor Scott Russell at the start of the swearing-in. He was rescued at the last minute by Town Clerk Betty Neville, who handed him the script.

Mr. Flatley offered a few brief comments after officially succeeding Ty Cochran.

“I want to thank the Town Board for making the process very easy to go through,” he said. “I appreciate that and I won’t let you down.”

Chief Flatley thanked his wife, Sue, for the 29 years in which “she’s been both with me and there for me, for that I am very grateful.” He also thanked his children, sisters and parents and the officers in the department.

After the ceremony, police officers waited in the foyer to salute their new chief. Former chief  Cochran, dressed in shorts and a polo shirt, walked down the receiving line and the officers who had called him their boss until that afternoon reflexively began to stand at attention. He asked them to reserve their salutes for Chief Flatlely, who followed him down the line.

The new chief thanked the officers for their support and asked those who weren’t on duty to join him for refreshments at his house afterwards.