Former New York county police chief pleads guilty in beating case
Source: Reuters
World | Fri Feb 26, 2016 3:25pm EST
Former New York county police chief pleads guilty in beating case
NEW YORK | BY MARCUS E. HOWARD
A former police chief of one of New York's largest counties pleaded guilty in federal court on Friday to beating a handcuffed suspect accused of stealing a duffel bag from his personal car, and then leading an attempt to cover it up.
James Burke, the top law enforcement officer in Suffolk County on Long Island until he stepped down in October, had served 31 years in the police force.
As part of a plea deal, Burke admitted to violating the civil rights of a Smithtown man and then leading an effort within the department to obstruct the probe into his actions. A federal investigation is ongoing.
"The defendant violated his oath and responsibilities as a law enforcement officer by exacting personal vengeance, assaulting a handcuffed suspect, and abusing his authority as the highest ranking uniformed member of the Suffolk County Police Department," said Robert Capers, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, on Friday.
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