The Village of Mineola Mayor and Board of Trustees will conduct its first public hearing on the village establishing its own police force on Monday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. at village hall, 155 Washington Avenue.

Mayor Jack M. Martins had commissioned a task force to determine whether it was feasible for the village to establish its own police force. After many hours of study and obtaining information, the task force issued its report at the Nov. 16 meeting of the board of trustees.

Since then, the report has been made available to the public. It can be obtained at Mineola Village Hall at the clerk's office or the library or at home on the Internet by going to www.mineola-ny.gov.

The task force report is a 38-page document that contains background information, results of the study, the costs associated with the village having its own police force and how those costs were arrived at.

Mayor Martins hopes residents will take some time to review the report and come to the hearings and give input on how the village should proceed. The Dec. 12 hearing is the first but there will be more to follow.

A police department cannot be formed without a public referendum vote so it is important for the public to give input on whether the village should have its own police force or whether it should continue to be patrolled by the Nassau County Police Third Precinct.