Additional Charges Filed Against Clarkstown Police Chief

NEW CITY, NY — Clarkstown town officials on Monday filed an additional 15 charges against their police chief, Michael Sullivan.

Sullivan was suspended July 20. The move had to do in part with his refusal to immediately remove Clarkstown police Sgt. Stephen Cole-Hatchard from his role as director of the Rockland County Strategic Intelligence Unit. It also has to do with two former officers — one who is alleged to have made political contributions to local Republicans that the sergeant was investigating, and one who is fighting with the town over disability pay. And it has to do with comments made on social media by Sullivan and by the town supervisor's chief of staff.

Special Prosecutor William Harrington released the following statement on the additional 15 charges filed against Sullivan:

Today an additional 15 charges were filed against Chief Michael Sullivan. While it would be inappropriate to specifically comment on the allegations of the unlawful surveillance of members of law enforcement running for office, elected officials including members of the judiciary, Clarkstown residents and residents of the surrounding community, I can say that the additional charges are very serious and the investigation is ongoing.

Sullivan joined the Clarkstown Police Department in 1987; he was promoted to sergeant in 1995, lieutenant in 2000, captain in 2009 and chief in 2011.

The move by members of the Town Board has been controversial. On July 26, residents and law enforcement officers gathered in front of Clarkstown Town Hall to support Sullivan and call for his reinstatement. Members of the Rockland Legislature from the nearby town of Ramapo issued a strongly critical statement, which was referred to a legislative committee.

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• Clarkstown Police Sgt. Sues Town Officials: News Report
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• County Lawmakers' Effort to Call Clarkstown Out over Sullivan Fails
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