The Police Chief of Spring Valley, Richard Oleszczuk, has been temporarily dismissed by Mayor Alan Simon, as verified by law enforcement officials this Thursday. Also removed from his post was the School Resource Officer (SRO) assigned to Spring Valley High School. The specific reasons behind these abrupt removals were initially undisclosed.
However, sources have informed Monsey Scoop that allegedly the trigger for the firing was an unexpected visit from Sarah Wallace, a news reporter from NY’s NBC News 4. Wallace walked into Mayor Simon’s open office, prompting Simon to become upset and demand that Police Chief Oleszczuk arrest her. The Police Chief tried to defuse the situation, explaining to the Mayor that Wallace had committed no crime as his office door was open, and noting that she left immediately when asked.
East Ramapo Superintendent Clarence Ellis expressed his concerns about the removal of the SRO in a statement issued Thursday. “While the Spring Valley Police Department maintains a consistent presence in Spring Valley High School, the SRO’s role is crucial in building daily relationships with students. We hope for a quick resolution between the Mayor and the police department so we can reinstate our SRO program,” said Ellis.
Mayor Simon, who has been disbarred as an attorney and removed from other civic roles, is known for his erratic behavior, including the suspension and attempted firing of various employees over the course of his six-year tenure.
Loughlin, representing the Police Chief’s Association of Rockland County, expressed unyielding support for the dismissed Police Chief. “We firmly stand with Chief Oleszczuk,” stated Loughlin. “We believe that today’s developments are in direct violation of the Rockland County Police Act, and we anticipate a quick resolution in the Chief’s favor.”
Multiple attempts to reach Mayor Simon for comment have been unsuccessful.