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Central Islip, N.Y. • The former chief of one of the country's largest local law enforcement agencies was arrested Wednesday by FBI agents at his home on Long Island.
Prosecutors didn't immediately announce charges, but former Suffolk County Police Chief James Burke had been under scrutiny for years over an allegation that he beat a prisoner in 2012. Burke resigned from the force in October.
Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, who appointed Burke in 2012, confirmed in October that Burke's departure was related to a renewed federal investigation.
Television cameras showed Burke being led in handcuffs into an FBI office. The U.S. attorney's office announced that it would hold a news conference in Central Islip later Wednesday morning, although it did not specifically mention Burke's arrest.
Burke initially was investigated by the FBI in 2013 on suspicion that he may have abused a man suspected of stealing a gun belt, ammunition and handcuffs from his department issued vehicle.
Burke's attorney, Joseph Conway, said he is waiting to see what the specific charges are, and had no other comment. Conway said he had been told the FBI probe had been closed and confirmed Tuesday that an investigation had reopened.
Newsday has reported Burke was being investigated for confronting Christopher Loeb inside a Long Island police station after Loeb was arrested for breaking into the chief's department-issued SUV. Loeb later pleaded guilty to a weapons charge.
Loeb, who has filed a civil rights lawsuit against Burke and the department, claims he was assaulted initially at his home by officers and subsequently at the precinct, where he was beaten by Burke and other officers.
Before Burke was named chief, he worked as an investigator for the Suffolk County district attorney.
The Suffolk County Police Department, with 2,434 officers, is among the country's 15 largest departments. It has responsibility for patrolling much of eastern Long Island, although the Hamptons and several other towns also have local police departments that patrol those areas.
Burke's October resignation was followed last month by the retirement of Police Commissioner Edward Webber. Several other top-ranking officers, including the chief of detectives, also have retired in recent weeks.