Officials report that Nassau County Police Commissioner Thomas V. Dale has been ousted.

Dale abruptly stepped down Thursday after prosecutors released the findings of an investigation into possible witness intimidation by Dale and some of his officers.

Investigators say Dale directed his officers to pull over a bus in October and arrest a witness in a politically motivated election-year case.

The case involved Randy White, of Roosevelt. In October, White testified that former Freeport Mayor Andrew Hardwick was paying $1.25 per signature to those who carried his petitions in the county executive's race. Petitioners can legally be paid by the hour, but not per signature. Hardwick has denied the claim.

A few days after he testified, White was pulled off a county bus by three Nassau detectives and arrested on an outstanding warrant for selling bootleg DVDs.

Nassau District Attorney Kathleen Rice says Dale is not facing any criminal charges.

In a statement released this afternoon, Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano says Rice brought the matter to his attention regarding questionable influence within the police department.

Due to the circumstances, Mangano says new leadership sends a clear message that stringent administrative review and application is underway.

Mangano says he met with Dale this morning to discuss the matter, after which he tendered his resignation.

Mangano has appointed Deputy County Executive for Public Safety Victor Politi to serve as acting police commissioner during the transition.

In addition, Chief of Detectives John Capece has retired, and Mangano has appointed Narcotics Vice Squad Inspector Kevin Smith to serve the department in this position.