An Important message from Mayor/Supervisor Joan B Walsh - 9/19/08

The Harrison Town Board has appointed an attorney to hear complaints about the Harrison Police Department. You can reach him with your issues at:

Mr. John Callahan

PO. Box 248

Eastchester, NY.10709

Cell Phone #: 914-715-8559               e mail-  jcallahan@harrisonspecialcounsel.com

All communication will be kept confidential to the fullest extent permitted by law.

PRESS RELEASE

Sept 19, 2008

                           From:  Mayor/Supervisor Joan B. Walsh
                                                            Town of Harrison  (914-670-3003)

 Harrison appoints attorney to hear complaints about the Harrison Police Department

 At its September 18, 2008 Town Board meeting, the members of the Harrison Town Board agreed to appoint an attorney, John Callahan, to look into complaints about the Harrison Police Department.

 Mayor Joan Walsh stated that this appointment is the result of a months-long search for the best person to hear these complaints.  She added that she has had long talks with Mr. Callahan, and is satisfied that all information given to him will be kept in the strictest confidence, that he will not share any names with anyone, but will thoroughly look into all allegations.  Mrs. Walsh pointed out that it is now up to those who have been complaining to come forward.  She further stated that Mr. Callahan has established a  special email account: jcallahan@harrisonspecialcounsel.com; a special cell-phone number: 715-8559, and rented a Post Office:  P. O. Box 248, Eastchester, New York  10709.  All are to ensure that any communications will be confidential and known only to Mr. Callahan.  He has said that he will carry the cell phone with him at all times, and will answer it up until 10 PM every night, as well as checking the Post Office box daily, and the email hourly.  Mrs. Walsh stressed that these inquiries will not cover the current lawsuits involving some officers in the Police Department.  Once matters are in Court, they cannot be part of any inquiry.

 Over the months that Mayor Walsh has been in office, she has been told by various residents of experiences with the Harrison Police Department that they feel constitute harassment or unfair treatment.  It is these reports that led her to work with the Town Board to appoint Mr. Callahan, so as to prove or disprove these allegations.  “If no one comes forward,” said Mrs. Walsh, “then that will be one story.  However, I believe that residents have been waiting for this opportunity and will take advantage of it. In general our policemen do excellent work, as witness their efforts in the current investigation into recent burglaries.  We have many fine officers, but on occasions, a particular officer could be overly aggressive…it is those instances that we need to know about. I urge people to get in touch with Mr. Callahan.”