Wallkill, N.Y. — The truck driver at the Forum Diner knew all about the scandal involving the town police department.
He knew that officers had been accused of arresting women on bogus charges and offering to drop the cases in return for dates. And he had heard allegations about officers stopping women drivers and shining flashlights on their breasts.
But the trucker was hesitant to say anything bad about the police department. And he wouldn't give his name.
"They'll mess with you," he said. "I've gotten stopped for absolutely nothing. They've let their badges go to their heads."
If a federal judge approves, Wallkill could become the first police department in New York state to be placed under a federal monitor. The town board grudgingly agreed to such a measure three weeks ago after New York's attorney general filed a lawsuit calling the 24-member police department a "rogue" police force.
Atty. Gen. Eliot Spitzer accused the department of committing a litany of abuses and retaliating against those who complained. He also accused town board members of tolerating the misconduct and covering it up.
The board has denied any wrongdoing, but relented over the issue of a monitor in return for the dropping of the lawsuit.
"It's not as bad as perceived. There are only a few people causing the problems," said acting Police Chief John Beairsto, appointed Jan. 25, one week after Spitzer sued. He said that one officer has been suspended and several others are undergoing disciplinary hearings.
The once-agricultural community of 24,500 is now home to the suburban sprawl of New York City, 50 miles to the southeast. The area's major employers include Reynolds Metal Co. and lead smelter RSR Corp.
Problems with the police force first came to light in 1998 when Officer Ari Moscowitz went to superiors with allegations of officers working side jobs while in uniform and taking cash under the table. Moscowitz then alleged he was being treated unfairly because of his whistle-blowing, sued the town and won $200,000 in a jury trial.
"It's certainly a good ol' boy backslapping group who likes to run around and play cowboys and Indians. All of a sudden, their party's interrupted, and they're angry about it," said John Lovett, the lawyer for Moscowitz, who refused to be interviewed because of pending legal actions.
The monitor would serve for at least three years.
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