Unconstitutional Operations Alleged in Clarkstown Police Department

NEW CITY, NY — Special Prosecutor William Harrington Wednesday released the following statement on Clarkstown Police Chief Michael Sullivan’s new lawsuit:

"Rather than cooperate with an internal investigation which raises serious allegations of illegal electronic surveillance and unconstitutional profiling of County citizens, as well as members of other law enforcement agencies and the local judiciary which the Police department deem political rivals, Chief Sullivan has predictably commenced a meritless lawsuit designed to do nothing more than evade a hearing on the merits, obfuscate the truth, foment political unrest to distract the public and delay the inevitable.

“Chief Sullivan’s state lawsuit has no merit. However, having commenced this proceeding, Chief Sullivan has finally, albeit unwittingly, allowed the public disclosure of the unconstitutional manner in which the Police Department has operated under his command.

“The Town and its residents deserve better and my clients eagerly look forward to such public debate."

Sullivan, the suspended chief of the Clarkstown Police Department, filed suit against the Town Board alleging that politics was the driving force behind his suspension. Sullivan's lawyer Richard Glickel said the charges against Sullivan were "meritless."

SEE:

• Sullivan Denies Charges
  
• More Charges Filed Against Clarkstown Police Chief
• Police Chief Sues for Reinstatement

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 had 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. Another 15 disciplinary charges have leveled against him connected to the surveillance issue.

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 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, according to a resolution under consideration by the county's Board of Legislators.

RELATED:

• UPDATE: Clarkstown Police Chief Suspended
• Rockland Lawmakers Calling On Clarkstown To Reinstate Sullivan
• Rally for Suspended Clarkstown Police Chief Tuesday
• Clarkstown Police Sgt. Sues Town Officials: News Report
• County Lawmakers' Effort to Call Clarkstown Out over Sullivan Fails
• Hearing Officer Picked for Sullivan Hearing