Medium PriorityPublic Safetyopen

Police Hiring and Officer Decertification

Summary

A cop who was under NYPD investigation quit, got decertified, and then Hempstead Village’s police department hired him anyway. If you care about who’s carrying a badge in your town, this is a red flag about hiring checks and accountability.

At a glance

Total mentions: 1
Last 30 days: 1

Impact analysis

💰Financial impact

Taxpayers could get stuck with legal bills, liability payouts, and retraining costs if a problematic hire goes sideways.

✅Who benefits

The officer gets a paycheck and the department fills a slot—but residents get the risk.

⚠️Who could be affected

Hempstead residents and taxpayers bear the risk to public trust, safety, and their wallets.

Mentions & discussions (1)

NewsdayNov 5, 2026

NYPD Officer Joseph Gonong was under investigation when he quit and was decertified. Two other police departments, including Hempstead Village, hired him.

NYPD Officer Joseph Gonong was under investigation when he quit and was decertified. Two other police departments, including Hempstead Village, hired him. Newsday

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