Nassau County has a new police commissioner. James H. Lawrence was officially sworn in last week at a ceremony at police headquarters in Mineola by Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi.

Despite the county's financial problems, which have affected labor negotiations between the county's administration and the PBA, Lawrence said he is looking forward to the challenge of leading Nassau's police force.

"He has a tough challenge. He's facing some difficult problems. But I couldn't be more excited," said Suozzi.

Among the goals of the new police commissioner who succeeds retired William Willett, are advancing police-community relations, further impact crime reduction and maintain the high level of police service that citizens of the county have grown accustomed to.

Lawrence has 32 years of law enforcement experience. He began his career with the New York City Police Department, serving as a patrol officer in the 40th Precinct. He has served in a wide range of duties in the New York City Police Department, including chief of personnel.

Lawrence, who lives with his family in Westbury, received a bachelor's degree in economics from Fordham and a juris doctorate from CUNY Law School at Queens College. He is a 1993 graduate of the Police Management Institute at Columbia University.