Nassau Police Commissioner Thomas Dale Resigns
MINEOLA, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Nassau County Police Commissioner Thomas Dale has been replaced.
Dale was ousted on Thursday after prosecutors found he directed officers to pull over a county bus in October and arrest a witness involved in an election year dispute, 1010 WINS' Mona Rivera reported.
Randy White was arrested for an unpaid $250 fine. He was also a witness in a campaign violations case involving a local mayor, CBS 2's Tony Aiello reported.
Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano said he met with Dale on Thursday morning and the commissioner tendered his resignation.
Report: Nassau Police Commissioner Thomas Dale Forced Out
In a statement, Mangano said District Attorney Kathleen Rice had begun an investigation of Dale.
"The District Attorney found no evidence to indicate criminality, but the investigation itself indicates a fresh look at internal procedures is warranted," Mangano said. "This approach is necessary to maintain the highest standards of police internal administration. New leadership sends a clear message that stringent administrative review and application is underway."
Critics said Dale used bad judgment by deploying significant resources for such a minor arrest.
Mangano has appointed Deputy County Executive for Public Safety Victor Politi to serve as acting police commissioner.
A police department spokesman did not immediately comment on the personnel change.
In addition to Dale's resignation, a Nassau sergeant resigned and the chief of detectives has retired.
The Nassau County Police Department has faced a series of public relations headaches in recent months.
In July, a former deputy police commissioner was convicted of official misconduct.
Dale left the NYPD two years ago to become top cop in Nassau County.
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