Rockland Lawmakers: Criminalize Interception Of Law Enforcement Emails By Civilians

Rockland County lawmakers continue targeting the Clarkstown administration with a proposal for a new law that would criminalize the interception of electronic communications to and from law enforcement by civilians.

It's a response to revelations that the Clarkstown administration examined police emails concerning a police sergeant's correspondence with a reporter.

And those revelations came in the sergeant's suit against the town for removing him from the Rockland County Strategic Task Force, a move he alleges they made because he was investigating contributions to them from a former Clarkstown police officer.

The new law would ban civilians from intercepting all forms of electronic communication by law enforcement – emails, texts and other messaging platforms – without the prior consent of the sender. Violations would be criminal offenses.

“The interception of these communications could compromise active investigations, prosecutions, identities, search warrants and other law enforcement actions,” said Legislator Ilan Schoenberger (D-Wesley Hills) in a press statement about the proposed law. “It could also compromise the safety of witnesses, crime victims and the public in general.”

The resolution will be discussed during the board’s Aug. 30 Public Safety Committee meeting. The resolution formally requests Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature to enact the new law.

Sponsors of the resolution include Schoenberger and Legislators Harriet Cornell (D-West Nyack) and Aney Paul (D-Nanuet).