Spitzer needs to attend to state police leadership

On Aug. 2, The Citizen published a letter I wrote on the so-called “Troopergate” affair and Sen. Michael Nozzolio's legislative proposal to subject the state police superintendent to periodic reconfirmation by the Senate.

To his credit, the senator called me and we had a full and frank discussion of the issues raised by his bill. We share a sincere concern over the apparent misuse of the state police by members of the Executive Chamber staff to achieve an unacceptable political objective. We agree that the traditional wall of separation between the state police and politics is critical to maintaining public confidence in the state's premier law enforcement agency.

Whether the Senator's bill becomes law or not, as a practical matter, Governor Spitzer should act swiftly to attend to the matter of the leadership of the state police. The current Acting Superintendent was never formally nominated and has not been confirmed by the Senate. That has put him in an unprecedentedly untenable position. The confirmation process provides the opportunity for the nominee to establish his/her bona fides with the Senate.