Suffolk County Police Commissioner Edward Webber To Retire
Updated Tuesday, Nov. 24 10:55 a.m.
RIVERHEAD, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Suffolk County police Commissioner Edward Webber announced his retirement Monday after 43 years with the department.
Webber has served with the department since 1972 and has been commissioner for three years. He said when he signed onto the department, "I never dreamed that one day I would end up leading this amazing organization."
Webber said he was proud of the reduction in crime he has presided over.
"Suffolk County continues to be one of the safest communities in the nation. Overall crime is down by more than 20 percent in the past four years, including historic lows in areas like homicide, rape and burglary," Webber said in a statement.
Webber, 69, said he wants to spend more time with his family, WCBS 880 Long Island Bureau Chief Mike Xirinachs reported.
Webber insisted his announcement is not related to a federal misconduct investigation of his department and the recent sudden resignation of Chief of Department James Burke.
At the request of County Executive Steve Bellone, Webber will remain in office until Jan. 25 to facilitate a transition, the statement said. His replacement has not yet been named.