2 Nassau jail correction officers suspended following allegations of excessive force, officials say

Two correction officers have been suspended for allegedly using excessive force against an inmate at the Nassau County Correctional Center in East Meadow, officials said on Thursday.

An investigation into the incident that led to the suspensions is being conducted by the Internal Affairs unit of the Nassau Sheriff’s Office and Nassau District Attorney Anne Donnelly’s office, Sheriff Anthony LaRocco said in a statement to Newsday.

The statement did not specify the allegations that sparked the investigation or say when the incident occurred. It also did not identify the inmate or the correction officers involved.

"There were allegations made against two correction officers that they used excessive force which is being investigated by Internal Affairs and the District Attorney’s office," LaRocco said. "Conclusions should not be drawn until the investigation is completed. The prisoner did not sustain a serious injury."

Nicole Turso, a spokeswoman for Donnelly, confirmed the district attorney's office is involved in the investigation but declined to comment further.

Peter Lilli, the president of the Nassau Correction Officers Benevolent Association, said the correction officers were suspended before all the facts were presented and the union would fight the suspensions.

"It’s important for the public to understand that our officers risk their lives every day maintaining the safety and security of everyone in our jail, while dealing with some of the most violent and unpredictable individuals in our county," Lilli said in a statement to Newsday.

Serena Martin-Liguori, executive director of New Hour, which provides services to women in the Nassau County Correctional Center, said assaults against inmates are usually not isolated incidents.

Martin-Liguori said it is problematic to have the sheriff’s office participate in an investigation into its own employees.

"We advocate for layers of transparency and accountability," Martin-Liguori said. "Jails need oversight."