Suffolk police commissioner Sini: Not running for DA in ‘17

Suffolk’s new police commissioner, Timothy Sini, said he won’t run for district attorney next year when the job, now occupied by Thomas Spota, comes open for election.

“I have no intention of running for district attorney. I think the DA is up in 2017. And I’m not running for district attorney in 2017,” Sini said during his confirmation hearing in front of the Legislature on Tuesday.

Minority Leader Kevin McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst), whom Sini challenged at the polls in November, said he was concerned this was “a steppingstone” for Sini.

Spota was first elected in 2001.

Sini said he has not been endorsed by Spota, nor sought his endorsement.

Spota spokesman Robert Clifford has not responded to requests for comment on Sini’s nomination.

By David M. Schwartz

dschwar1@newsday.comschwartznewsNY

David Schwartz covers environmental issues. A native Long Islander, he's worked at Newsday since 2013.