Former Schenectady Police Chief Gregory Kaczmarek has yet to be charged in connection with last week’s big drug bust that ensnared his wife, Lisa, and 20-year-old stepson. But any layperson reading the transcripts of phone conversations between Mrs. Kaczmarek and alleged supplier Kerry “Slim” Kirkem would likely be convinced that not only was Kaczmarek himself using cocaine, but that he was well aware of his wife’s business dealings.

The latter may not constitute a crime, but the state police indictment also makes it seem that Kaczmarek was involved in his wife’s alleged drug operation: It stated he was party to a strategy session between his wife and Kirkem after police intercepted a shipment of drugs bound for Schenectady in February. And on a taped phone conversation between Kirkem and Mrs. Kaczmarek, he is overheard in the background, offering to drive to Long Island with Kirkem to pick up a shipment of drugs. Also in this conversation, Mrs. Kaczmarek quotes her husband as saying he’ll flash his badge if necessary.

Kaczmarek, of course, retired from the Schenectady Police Department several years ago, but there is still considerable public interest — given the rumors and denials about his drug use when he was promoted to the job, and what’s happened in the department vis-a-vis drugs and rogue cops ever since — in seeing that justice is done here.

If the former chief was at all involved in his wife’s dope-peddling operation, he needs to be prosecuted for it. The reputation of Schenectady’s police department, and the entire city, has suffered yet again as a result of this story, and if Kaczmarek is guilty and allowed to get off scot-free, it will add further insult to the injury.