Mount Vernon's police commissioner says police work in the city is suffering over what should have been a routine purchase of a new police car.

Mount Vernon Police Commissioner Shawn Davis says he went through all of the proper protocols to buy a new $70,000 Suburban for the department. He says the money was in the budget and that it was approved and signed by Comptroller Maureen Walker and Mayor Richard Thomas.

When the vendor went to cash the check, it bounced. Comptroller Walker wouldn’t issue a new check, reportedly because she says the mayor didn't follow protocol in issuing the original check.

Mayor Thomas is now suing Walker and the city's bank to get it paid.

Davis says the Suburban sits unused.

"Politics should not affect the public safety for the citizens of Mount Vernon. It damaged our relationship with our vendor, and now it's holding up other vehicles we have purchased," he says.

On Friday, a state judge directed the bank to fund the check.

News 12 reached out to Walker, but calls were not returned.

A judge has issued a temporary restraining order that will keep Walker from interfering with government payments. Her time as comptroller is up in December after 25 years on the job.