The Latest: Ex-chief gets nearly 4 years in beating case

CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. – The Latest on a suburban New York police chief convicted of beating of a man who stole embarrassing items from his vehicle (all times local):

12:15 p.m.

The former leader of one of the country’s largest suburban police departments has been sentenced to nearly four years in prison.

Former Suffolk County, New York Police Chief James Burke got the 46-month sentence Wednesday.

Federal prosecutors say he recruited a long list of accomplices to cover up his precinct house beating of a man who stole embarrassing items from his SUV.

He apologized at his sentencing to police, the judge, the victim and the community.

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This story has been corrected to show Burke’s sentence is 46 months, not 48.

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12:30 a.m.

Federal prosecutors say the leader of one of the country’s largest suburban police departments recruited a long list of accomplices to cover up his precinct house beating of a man who stole embarrassing items from his SUV.

Former Suffolk County Police Chief James Burke is scheduled to be sentenced on Wednesday in the 2012 beating and subsequent coverup.

Prosecutors signalled this week that more people, including “high-ranking officials” from other county agencies on Long Island could face charges.

They said in a letter to the court that Burke had help silencing potential whistleblowers in the department.

Burke pleaded guilty last winter in the beating and coverup. He has asked for no prison time because he says his mother is dying of cancer.

Prosecutors want him to serve at least four years.