A third senior figure in the New York State Police has stepped away from the agency, caught in the shadow of a probe into the questionable use of Ryder Cup credentials at a high-profile golf event on Long Island.
Acting Staff Inspector Stephen Udice submitted his retirement paperwork last week, joining First Deputy Superintendent R. Christopher West and Col. Darrin S. Pitkin in exiting amid an investigation into the distribution and use of PGA-issued passes at the September tournament, the Times Union reported.
The inquiry centers on whether these officials improperly leveraged law enforcement credentials or complimentary passes to gain access for themselves and, in some cases, family members. This unfolding situation has raised sharp questions about accountability at the highest levels of the force.
Ryder Cup Credentials Under Scrutiny
During the Ryder Cup, held September 26-28 at Bethpage State Park’s Black Course, Udice served as the commanding officer for Troop L, covering Long Island. Sources claim he handed out dozens of free passes to friends and relatives, a move that has fueled the internal review.
Superintendent Steven G. James addressed the allegations head-on, stating, “I take these allegations very seriously, and ... any member of the State Police who is found to have violated our policies or state law will be held accountable.” Such strong words sound reassuring, yet the retirement of three top brass before conclusions are drawn leaves a bitter taste of dodged responsibility.
The probe, initially handled internally after inquiries surfaced on November 18, has now been handed to the state inspector general at the direction of Governor Kathy Hochul. This shift aims to ensure an impartial look, but the timing of these retirements clouds the path to clarity.
Retirements Raise Fairness Concerns
West and Pitkin, the agency’s second and third in command, filed for retirement on December 2, just as the investigation gained traction. Their exits, alongside Udice’s, allow them to potentially sidestep mandatory interviews or cooperation with the inspector general’s office.
Rank-and-file troopers have voiced frustration over this apparent double standard, with one noting that lower-ranking members would likely face harsher consequences, including loss of certification, for similar actions. It’s hard to ignore the perception of an escape hatch crafted for the elite while the foot soldiers bear the brunt of strict rules.
State regulations, tightened nearly a decade ago, were meant to prevent officers under investigation from retiring to avoid discipline and then joining other agencies. Yet loopholes persist, letting those not formally served with disciplinary notices walk away with credentials intact, a gap that stings when applied to senior leadership.
Ethical Lines and Public Trust
The PGA passes in question, reportedly worth hundreds of dollars each, fall under strict State Police and state ethics rules barring acceptance of gifts tied to official duties. Accepting or redistributing them without superintendent approval strikes at the heart of public confidence in law enforcement integrity.
Photographs provided to investigators showed high-ranking officials, including West, in VIP areas during the tournament, often with family members, sporting credentials meant for working security. This visual evidence amplifies the sense that privilege, not duty, guided their presence at an event where rank-and-file troopers were denied even basic comforts like free meals or rest areas.
Superintendent James, in a December 3 statement, admitted, “Last week, we learned that members of our executive staff may have used work credentials supplied by the PGA, or possibly other free passes, to improperly gain admission to the Ryder Cup tournament.” His acknowledgment of the breach is a start, but when retirements preempt accountability, it feels like the system protects its own rather than the principles it claims to uphold.
Leadership Shakeups and Lingering Questions
James, who returned from retirement in February 2024 to take the superintendent role under Governor Hochul, swiftly reshaped the agency’s top ranks upon arrival. He promoted West to first deputy superintendent and appointed several new deputy superintendents, signaling a fresh direction, yet this scandal now tests that vision.
Troopers on the ground have also raised concerns about senior officials allegedly using state aircraft for travel to the event and possibly staying in hotels with family. These claims, if substantiated, deepen the divide between leadership perks and the rigid expectations placed on everyday officers.
As the inspector general steps in, the public watches to see if this independent review will deliver answers or if the retirements of Udice, West, and Pitkin mark the end of scrutiny. New Yorkers deserve a State Police force where rules apply evenly, not one where rank buys a quiet exit from tough questions.
