NY Senate confirms new head for state police after years of tumult

The scandal-plagued New York State Police lastly have a brand new everlasting chief, ending a year-long stretch of uncertainty that got here within the wake of allegations of harassment, corruption and abuse of energy.

Gov. Kathy Hochul’s decide Steven James was unanimously confirmed as new superintendent by the state Senate Thursday after having served as appearing superintendent since February.

James got here out of retirement after state police had burnt by two different appearing superintendents.

James beforehand served on all ranges of the state police, together with as a highway patrol and narcotics officer in addition to higher stage administrative roles.

“That gave me a full scale basis of what to do as a police officer and know-how to deal with myself in lots of conditions,” James stated in his affirmation listening to earlier than state Senators this week.

James takes over because the higher echelons of the state police have been rocked by a slew of scandals lately. They embody an inspector basic’s investigation into unauthorized surveillance and extreme time beyond regulation by dozens of troopers assigned to a New York Metropolis-based drug activity power and an FBI probe into shady dealings with the state police’s union.

Talking completely to The Publish this week, James stated he needs to enhance morale amongst regulation enforcement and, in consequence, enhance public security.

“In the future when I’m a really outdated man, I’m simply an outdated man now, however very outdated, I can look again and say, I effected that change. I imparted one thing for the long run to make issues higher for the general public and higher for law enforcement officials, as a result of one goes hand in hand,” James stated.

Previous James as superintendent was Steven Nigrelli, who stepped down when Hochul informed him she wouldn’t nominate him after a historical past of harassment allegations towards him resurfaced.

“The New York State Police does extraordinary work to battle crime and preserve folks protected, and I’m assured Superintendent James will proceed and broaden on these efforts,” Hochul stated in a press release Thursday.

James cleaned home after taking on in February, dismissing a number of excessive rating state police directors, in keeping with reporting by the Occasions Union.