Jon Dowding

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Sep 11, 2023, 3:39 PM

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Updated

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Former Suffolk County Police Chief James Burke pleaded not guilty Monday to charges stemming from a sex solicitation sting.

Burke's arraignment comes after he was charged for allegedly initiating a sexual encounter with a plainclothes male ranger at Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park on Bald Hill.

Investigators say Burke tried to use his status as the former top cop to avoid arrest. He's facing one count of public lewdness and one count of exposure of a person.

According to court documents, Burke exposed himself to a plainclothes Suffolk County park ranger and solicited a sexual act.

Burke served as chief from 2012 to 2015, and pleaded guilty eight years ago to beating a handcuffed man who was suspected of stealing sex toys and other items from his police SUV.

He is due back in court on Oct. 6.