Judge rules that incoming Nassau police commissioner will be able to fire police officers

Judge rules that incoming Nassau police commissioner will be able to fire police officers


A judge ruled that Nassau's incoming police commissioner will have the authority to fire police officers without that officer going through binding arbitration.

Nassau PBA President James Carver says he will appeal the decision. Carver says the police contract gives officers the right to have their disciplinary cases decided in binding arbitration.

"There are times that there's discipline that is handed down by [a] police commissioner that is above and beyond what we feel is fair and just," said Carver.

Ousted commissioner Thomas Dale made the push for firing capabilities a large part of his agenda after he was first appointed last year. He said it would make it easier to clean up the department.

Dale resigned last week after a DA investigation revealed he personally directed detectives to arrest a witness in a politically charged case.

County Executive Ed Mangano has been an advocate for the commissioner's firing authority. He said in a statement regarding the judge's ruling, "For the commissioner to lead the department and have respect for the application of the rules and regulations, it is essential that he or she have the ability to discipline those who violate those very rules and regulations."