Hearing for suspended Woodbury police chief resumes Feb. 12

By Linda Mastrogiacomo
HIGHLAND MILLS — The Town of Woodbury held a public hearing Jan. 29 regarding the suspension of Police Chief Richard Vasquez.

The small court room was filled to capacity with law enforcement officers and family member to show their support for Vasquez.

The town claims Vasquez was unable to perform his duties as chief because he was devoting excessive amounts of time running for Rockland County Sheriff.

He did not win that contest.
The town's charges include misconduct, falsification of time records, insubordination, poor management, favoritism and cover up among others.

Vasquez's attorney, Michael Sussman, said the chief has an impeccable record and that what he called trumped up charges arose in 2015 from conflicts with then Town Supervisor Ralph Caruso.

Sussman charged that Caruso treated Vasquez as if he was in grade school. He also argued that Caruso created political antagonisms to repress and create issues for Vasquez during his campaign for Rockland County sheriff.

The next hearing regarding the matter will take place Friday, Feb. 12.