Rockland Lawmakers Calling On Clarkstown To Reinstate Police Chief

NEW CITY, NY – Rockland County lawmakers intend to call on the Clarkstown Town Board to formally dismiss all charges leveled against Clarkstown Police Chief Michael Sullivan, officials said.

The suspension of Sullivan had to do in part with his refusal to immediately remove 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.

The Legislature meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday at 11 New Hempstead Road in New City.

According to a press release from the Legislature:

Chief Sullivan began his law enforcement career 33 years ago, and in 1987 joined the Clarkstown Police Department, where he was promoted to Sergeant in 1995, Lieutenant in 2000, Captain in 2009 and Chief in 2011. His appointment to the department and his subsequent promotions were all approved by the Clarkstown Town Board.

On July 20, the Clarkstown Town Board voted to suspend Sullivan from his position as Chief.

It has since emerged that the charges leveled against Sullivan by the Clarkstown Town Board are specious and the circumstances of the charges leveled against him are highly questionable and political in nature. Sullivan himself has publicly stated, “There can be no doubt that the board’s charges are completely without merit.”

Additionally, on July 26, with little notice, between 500 and 1,200 residents and law enforcement officers gathered in front of Clarkstown Town Hall to declare their public support for Sullivan and their strong desire to see him reinstated as Chief.

The Clarkstown Police Benevolent Association, as well as other police benevolent associations in Rockland County, several chiefs of other police departments across Rockland, and numerous law enforcement officials, have all publicly stated their support for Sullivan as well as their belief that no charges should have been leveled against him and that he ought to be immediately reinstated as Chief of the Clarkstown Police Department.

The County Legislature’s resolution will express support for Sullivan, and call upon the Clarkstown Town Board to immediately dismiss all charges leveled against him and immediately reinstate him as Chief of the Clarkstown Police Department

RELATED:

• Rally for Suspended Clarkstown Police Chief Tuesday
• Clarkstown Police Sgt. Sues Town Officials: News Report
• UPDATE: Clarkstown Police Chief Suspended
• Sullivan Denies Charges

Here is a copy of the proposed resolution:

Introduced by Referral No. 6704

Hon. Ilan S. Schoenberger, Sponsor August 2, 2016

Hon. Alden H. Wolfe, Sponsor

RESOLUTION NO. OF 2016

CALLING ON THE CLARKSTOWN TOWN BOARD TO FORMALLY DISMISS ALL CHARGES LEVELED AGAINST MICHAEL SULLIVAN AND IMMEDIATELY REINSTATE HIM AS CHIEF OF THE CLARKSTOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT

WHEREAS, Michael Sullivan began an illustrious career in law enforcement 33 years ago and went on to join the Clarkstown Police Department in 1987, where he was promoted to Sergeant in 1995, Lieutenant in 2000, Captain in 2009 and Chief of the Clarkstown Police Department in 2011; and

WHEREAS, Michael Sullivan’s appointment as a police officer to the Clarkstown Police Department and his subsequent promotions were all approved by the Clarkstown Town Board; and

WHEREAS, On July 20, 2016, the Clarkstown Town Board voted to suspend Michael Sullivan from his position as Chief of Police of the Clarkstown Police Department; and

WHEREAS, It has emerged that the charges leveled against Michael Sullivan by the Clarkstown Town Board are specious and the circumstances of the charges leveled against him are highly questionable and political in nature, and Michael Sullivan has publicly stated, “There can be no doubt that the Board’s charges are completely without merit;” and

WHEREAS, On July 26, 2016, with little notice, between 500–1,200 residents and law enforcement officers gathered in front of Clarkstown Town Hall to declare their public support for Michael Sullivan and their strong desire to see him reinstated as Chief of Police of the Clarkstown Police Department; and

WHEREAS, The Clarkstown Police Benevolent Association, as well as other Police Benevolent Associations in Rockland County, several Chiefs of Police Departments across Rockland County, and numerous law enforcement officials have all publicly stated their support for Michael Sullivan as well as their belief that no charges should have been leveled against him and that he ought to be reinstated as Chief of the Clarkstown Police Department immediately; now therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the Legislature of Rockland County hereby expresses its support for Michael Sullivan; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the Rockland County Legislature calls upon the Clarkstown Town Board to immediately dismiss all charges leveled against Michael Sullivan and immediately reinstate him as Chief of the Clarkstown Police Department; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Clerk to the Legislature be and is hereby authorized and directed to send a copy of this resolution to Hon. George Hoehmann, Supervisor of the Town of Clarkstown; the Clarkstown Town Board; the Clarkstown Police Benevolent Association; the Police Chief’s Association of Rockland County; and to such other persons as the Clerk, in his discretion, may deem proper in order to effectuate the purpose of this resolution.

LG-2016-79

ELY/DF: 2016