After getting flak from media groups including the Press Club of Long Island, to its credit, Suffolk County police issued a mea culpa on a recent improper arrest of video journalist Phil Datz for filming the aftermath of a car chase.

“The department is conducting an internal review of the incident between a Suffolk County Police Department supervisor and a photographer that resulted in the photographer’s arrest. I am working with the Suffolk County District Attorney to have the arrest nullified.

“The police department believes in keeping an open line of communication with the media and we will be reviewing the department’s policy concerning involvement with the news media. The department will also provide refresher training to all officers regarding the interaction between the news media and department personnel.”

–Suffolk County Police Commissioner Richard Dormer

 PCLI had put out a statement earlier in the day, which Newsday mentioned in its story about the reversal.

The commissioner’s statement came after the Press Club of Long Island called on police and prosecutors to drop all charges against the freelance journalist, Phil Datz, 34, a Valley Stream resident.