SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                   ----------

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                       PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
                      THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

         Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): July 22, 2002

                                 SUFFOLK BANCORP

             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

             New York                     0-13580               11-2708279

(State or other jurisdiction of  (Commission File Number)     (IRS Employer
incorporation or organization)                               Identification No.)

6 West Second Street, Riverhead, New York                         11901

(Address of principal executive offices)                        (Zip Code)

       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (631) 727-5667

                                       N/A

          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)


ITEM 4. CHANGES IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANTS

      (a) Previous independent accountants

            (i) On July 22, 2002, based on a recommendation by the Examination
            and Audit Committee (the "Audit Committee") of the Board of
            Directors, the Board of Directors of Suffolk Bancorp (the "Company")
            approved the dismissal of the Company's independent public
            accountant, Arthur Andersen LLP ("Arthur Andersen").

            (ii) No reports by Arthur Andersen on the Company's consolidated
            financial statements for each of the years ended December 31, 2001
            and 2000 contained an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, or
            have been qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or
            accounting principles.

            (iii) During the Company's two most recent fiscal years and all
            subsequent interim periods preceding the dismissal, there were no
            disagreements between the Company and Arthur Andersen on any matter
            of accounting principles or practices, financial statement
            disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure which, if not resolved to
            Arthur Andersen's satisfaction, would have caused it to make
            reference to the subject matter in connection with its report on the
            Company's consolidated financial statements.

            (iv) Within the last two most recent fiscal years and all subsequent
            interim periods and to the date of dismissal, there have been no
            reportable events as that term is described in Item 304 (a) (1) (v)
            of Regulation S-K.

            (v) The Company provided Arthur Andersen with a copy of the
            foregoing disclosure and has requested that it furnish the Company
            with a letter addressed to the Securities and Exchange Commission
            stating whether or not it agrees with the above statements. In
            response, Arthur Andersen indicated that, as of July 1, 2002 ,
            Arthur Andersen no longer issues such letters.

      (b) New independent accountants

            (i) On July 22, 2002, based on a recommendation by the Audit
            Committee, the Board of Directors of the Company selected and
            engaged Grant Thornton LLP as its independent public accountant.
            Grant Thornton LLP will audit the Company's financial statements for
            the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002.

            (ii) During the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000 and through
            the date hereof, the Company did not consult Grant Thornton with
            respect to the application of accounting principles to a specified
            transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit
            opinion that might be rendered on the Company's consolidtaed
            financial statement, or any other matter or reportable events as set
            forth in Items 304 (a) (2) (i) and (ii) of Regulation S-K.

ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS

      (a) Not applicable

      (b) Not applicable

      (c) Not applicable



                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                                   SUFFOLK BANCORP


Dated: July 22, 2002               By: /s/ Douglas Ian Shaw
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                       Vice President & Corporate Secretary