Nassau County Executive Thomas S. Gulotta has announced the nomination of Edward Reilly to the position of sheriff of the Nassau County Correctional Center.

"Edward Reilly is a true corrections professional, who will bring more than two decades of expertise to the Nassau County Correctional Center," said Gulotta. Reilly possesses the necessary experience and credentials that will ensure a professional corrections environment," he said.

Reilly was nominated by Gulotta following a nationwide search through the national print media, the Internet, and corrections professional journals. "I have asked Ed Reilly to review all procedures at the Nassau County Correctional Facility to make certain that the jail functions efficiently and in the most cost-effective fashion, cutting government spending while protecting the community. Mr. Reilly will review all aspects of the jail's operation and take whatever corrective measures may be deemed necessary," said Gulotta.

Reilly will supervise a staff of 1,200 within a facility containing an operating budget of $115 million. He will be responsible for interfacing with all levels of law enforcement agencies and the judiciary, in coordinating a correctional environment that is consistent with approved correctional practices and current regulatory authority. In addition, he will be responsible for the execution of all civil law enforcement matters, including orders of protection, summonses and all court ordered income and property executions.

Reilly was until recently, the chief of the New York City Department of Corrections. He was responsible for supervising 12,000 uniformed staff, overseeing 16 facilities with a daily population of 18,000 inmates as well as presiding over the day-to-day operations of 11 court facilities, an infirmary and the Communicable Disease Unit.

Reilly is a 26 year corrections professional. He began his career as a corrections officer at the New York City Correctional Institution for Men on Rikers Island in 1972. Between 1972 and 1986, he was promoted three times to the ranks of captain, assistant deputy warden and deputy warden. He has served as the executive officer of the department's training academy and as a member of its hostage negotiations team.

The nomination will be presented to the Legislature. A majority vote is required for its confirmation.

The Legislature's majority reacted with optimism following the county executive's announcement of his nomination.

"I was very impressed that the county executive appears to recognize the need to nominate a person of unquestionable experience as the new sheriff," said Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury). "At first glance it appears that Mr. Reilly possesses these attributes."

The confirmation process will start in the next couple of weeks, according to the majority leader.