Anthony Carter declines to become Southampton Village top cop, officials say

Suffolk Deputy Police Commissioner Anthony Carter has decided against becoming Southampton Village's next police chief, officials said Monday, just over a month after the board voted 4-1 to give him the job.

The lone no vote at the Dec. 12 special meeting came from Mayor Jesse Warren, whose lack of support spurred Carter to change his mind, according to a statement Monday on behalf of Southampton Village Deputy Mayor Gina Arresta and trustees Robin Brown, Bill Manger and Roy Stevenson.

In an interview Monday, Arresta said Carter notified trustees of his decision late Friday. Despite Warren's opposition, the mayor had initially said "he'd support him," Arresta said.

"But in the days afterward he was not communicating with [Carter] and then publicly he's been critical and it's very embarrassing, what's happened … As trustee and Deputy Mayor I believe we were doing the best we can — and that Mr. Carter was the best choice. He's been here getting to know people on his own time and the Southampton Village Police have been in full support of him. They've gotten to know him and it's really a shame he won't be taking over."

Lt. Suzanne Hurteau will continue as acting chief, Arresta said.

In an interview Monday, Warren said he was concerned that Carter had yet to take the Civil Service examination, adding that there was no guarantee he would pass or finish with a score in the top three, and that he had few local ties to the community.

The meeting where Carter was selected had also not been properly noticed — a potential violation of the state's Open Meetings law, the mayor said. And the village attorney had yet to review the contract offered to the deputy commissioner, Warren said.

"My vote had just as much to do with the overall process as did with the selection," Warren said. "From my understanding [Carter] is a good and honorable man … But we need to make sure we have a good inclusive process that's as transparent as possible."

Carter's hire was set to become chief effective March 13, contingent on passing the Civil Service test. He had been offered a five-year contract worth $225,000 annually, town officials said.

Carter had been tapped for the job more than a year after the retirement of former Chief Thomas Cummings, who agreed to retire in September 2021 with a payout of nearly $775,000 in unused sick and vacation time and lifetime health benefits for himself and his wife, on top of an annual salary of nearly $250,000.

“The residents will have access to me," Carter said in an interview at the Dec. 12 meeting. He said he intended to "get out to meet the residents and talk about the problems in the village and how to find solutions.”

Carter did not respond to requests for comment Monday.

Among those lamenting Carter's decision Monday was former NYPD Commissioner William Bratton.

"I’m disappointed to see Anthony Carter will not be accepting the Police Chief position in Southampton, where I frequent many businesses," Bratton tweeted. "His experience and professionalism would’ve been a great benefit to the Village. I wish him all the best in his career."

Suffolk Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison had appointed Carter as his deputy in February. Carter previously served as an NYPD inspector and spent 28-years on the department.

"I have nothing but praise for him," Arresta said of Carter. "But, we need a police chief and now we have to start over again. This certainly puts us in a bad position moving forward." 

With Robert Brodsky

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”