Senator Martinez Joins the Suffolk County Police Asian Jade Society to Celebrate the Lunar New Year

SENATOR MARTINEZ JOINS SUFFOLK COUNTY POLICE ASIAN JADE SOCIETY TO CELEBRATE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR 

(SAINT JAMES, NY) On March 5, 2020, State Senator Monica R. Martinez celebrated the Lunar New Year with the Suffolk County Police Asian Jade Society. This year they celebrated the Year of the Rat! 

The evening included  honoring a hero, Gerard Gigante, Chief of Detectives, as this year’s Man of the Year! Chief Gigante has held numerous positions within the Department. He has been the Commanding Officer of several posts: Third Precinct Crime Section, the Seventh Squad Section, Highway Patrol Bureau, the Patrol Special Operations Team, the First Precinct, Deputy Chief of Patrol and Chief of Detectives. Through his career he has been known as a leader and an innovator. He has been at the forefront of the Department’s anti-gang efforts first forming the initial precinct based gang team then spearheading the formation of the former POST Bureau and the current Firearms Suppression Team. In addition, Chief Gigante oversaw the establishment of the Human Trafficking Investigations Unit. The unit is the first in the area dedicated solely to the trafficking of female victims, often by gang members who effectively enslave victims with narcotics and false promises.

“Chief Gigante has and continues to be an asset to the Suffolk County Police Department. Through his efforts, Suffolk County has become one of the safest places to live in New York and is deserving of such recognition for his service and selfless sacrifice to the communities he serves,” stated Senator Martinez.