Former Suffolk Police Chief Accused of Assault, Covering up Federal Investigation

SMITHTOWN, NY— Former Suffolk County Police Chief James Burke, who is accused of assaulting a Smithtown man in 2012, was indicted Wednesday on charges of conspiring to cover up the assault and obstructing a federal civil rights investigation, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Burke, 51, of Smithtown, who was arrested Wednesday morning, pleaded not guilty to the cover up at his arraignment at the federal courthouse in Central Islip later that day, Newsday reports.

“Wearing a badge is a privilege and honor—not a license to exact retribution and corrupt the administration of justice,” United States Attorney Robert L. Capers said in a press release. “We will protect the rights of all no matter where the evidence may lead, and those who break the law will be held to account regardless of their rank and status.”

Burke resigned from his position as Police Chief, the force’s highest-ranking uniformed officer, in late October, Newsday reports.

According to the indictment and court filings, Christopher Loeb, of Smithtown, was arrested on Dec. 14, 2012 at his mother’s home for a variety of probation violations. During the arrest and search, officers found large amounts of merchandise that were stolen from Burke’s SCPD-issued SUV and a dozen other vehicles.

It was discovered that Loeb stole the following items from Burke’s vehicle: a gun belt, several magazines of ammunition, a box of cigars, a humidor, and a canvas bag that contained toiletries, clothing, and other items, according to the government.

Following this discovery, Burke entered the Smithtown home with permission to retrieve his items and then drove to SCPD’s Fourth Precinct where detectives had begun interrogating Loeb, who was handcuffed and chained to an eyebolt fastened to the floor.

Burke then allegedly assaulted Loeb, kicking him in the head and body, thereby violating his civil rights, and pressured the detectives who witnessed the assault to cover up the event, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Burke continued to cover up this assault when the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office opened an investigation in 2013, the government said.

The Police Chief and detectives even agreed on a false version of events that would conceal the assault, which led to one of those detectives lying under oath, according the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Rodriguez said Burke took a “shortcut on the path to justice” when at a crossroads between right and wrong.

“When an officer’s actions threaten to obstruct the integrity of an investigation, they unjustly call into question the reputation of those among them who respectfully adhere to the code of ethics so valued by the law enforcement community,” Rodriguez said in a press release.

Patch file photo