Despite the fact that Nassau County Police Commissioner William J. Willet could be forced to retire when he turns 70 on May 4, 2001, Willett said he was focusing on long-term solutions, rather than a "quick fix," to bring department costs under control.

However, the Westbury resident warned, "In a crunch such as this, the long-term savings sometimes costs a few dollars."

In an interview with The Westbury Times, Willett explained how "civilianization," hiring civilians at a lower rate of pay to assume clerical duties or data processing typically done by police, could drastically reduce the department's estimated $100 million budget deficit. The shift would not happen overnight, Willett cautioned. "First, civilians would have to be hired to replace the sworn officers, which could take time," he said. "However, if I am told that I can't hire civilians because of a hiring freeze, I can't accomplish the task.

"Nassau County police officers are some of the highest paid in the nation," he continued. "Civilianization could conceivably cut overtime costs."

Other short-term solutions included consolidating police functions, and possibly encouraging police on light duty to retire.

Willett cited his progression through the administrative ranks of the department, including his appointment as first deputy commissioner of police in 1994, as preparing him to "understand the financial side" of his new office. His public relations experience, which included command responsibility of the department's Community Relations Bureau in the 1960s and 1970s, would help him ensure a continued positive civilian/police relationship in Nassau County.

Minimizing the "divide" between a typically Caucasian male police force and the county's minority population was paramount, he said. "People usually identify more easily with people who they see as their mirror image," Willett said. "The police department, not only in Nassau County, but historically, has been made up primarily of white males."

But Willett placed responsibility on individuals, rather than on the police force itself, to increase minority hiring. "There are certain segments of a population that will come to an exam," he said. "You have to go and pull that other segment in. So, many times you target that other segment, aim recruiting efforts at them, but they always come in smaller percentages, and there are going to be smaller percentages of them when it all shakes out."

Willett stated that he hoped his own groundbreaking achievements as the first black patrol supervisor, precinct commander, and finally, commissioner of Nassau County, would dispel the myth that minority officers would never rise to these positions and thereby pave the way for those who would choose to follow in his footsteps.

Although Willett would not furnish an exact number of years, he did say he had no intention of going anywhere fast. "If I accomplish the task I was hired to do, I'll stay on. I'm in good health and having fun, and I'm working with some good people."

If County Executive Thomas Gulotta approves of Willett's performance after a year, Willett will seek a one-year extension from the state Civil Service Commission. His term of employment could be extended one year at a time until he is 76.

A native of Nassau County, Willett was born and raised in Glen Cove, before moving to Westbury in the 1960s. Upon graduation from high school, he enlisted in the US Navy, serving a four-year hitch during the Korean conflict. Upon his return to civilian life, he pursued what was to become a lifelong career in law enforcement.

Willett grew with the department, having served during 46 of its 74-year history, and under all but one of its nine commissioners. He calls his newest appointment a "pleasant surprise.

"I thought I would stall out at first deputy commissioner, which was quite an achievement. However, for my last years in the police department, it is great to be able to undertake the ultimate challenge."