Letters: Judging Suffolk police chief’s tenure

There are many in the community who recognize the work former Suffolk Police Chief James Burke did as a law enforcement official and his commitment to the people he served [“Prison for Burke,” News, Nov. 3].

He spent many hours of his own time protecting people and communities. While I believe he should be held accountable for the mistakes he made, and that Newsday has every right and obligation to report the story comprehensively, I would hope that the newspaper could differentiate between his mistakes and the alleged corruption of elected officials in Nassau County.

Alfred James, Bay Shore

Editor’s note: The writer is a retired Suffolk County police officer who worked with Burke.

Regarding former Suffolk Police Chief James Burke’s request for mercy so he can care for his ill mother, perhaps when he was disgracing his office and involving other underlings to be his accomplices, he should have thought of his mother [“Push for max sentence,” News, Nov. 1].

Obviously, her health issues are sad, but I’m sure her heart is sadder to know of her son’s crime. He is not above the law.

Janet Werner, Huntington Station