Legal Action Expected In Case Of Fired Clarkstown Police Officer

The requests of Steven Quinones, his attorney, family and friends for the Clarkstown Town Board to reconsider his termination from the police department were unsuccessful on Thursday. Quinones, a probationary police officer with the department for six months, reached phase four of the training process when he learned of his pending termination. 

Quinones, an Army reservist with the National Guard, said he put in a request for a military day off on a Friday in November and was told on the following Monday he should resign or he would be terminated. The West Nyack resident told the town board on Thursday, he thought he had resolved the issues the department had with his performance during the training period until that day.

His attorney Maureen McNamara of West Haverstraw said the town board refused to interview Quinones and meet with him in executive session and that was a violation of Rockland County civil rights rules. She said the town board is the appointing authority and has the ability to hire and fire officers.

“And yet in this case it seems the town board has abrogated their authority exclusively to the police department,” said McNamara. “And the police department is not complying with civil service rules at all. What has gone on here is in many ways the equivalent of the police department running amok and not complying the rules.” 

She said she saw all the reports about Quinones’ performance and he passed the first three phases and was not permitted to finish the fourth. McNamara said it is likely legal action will be taken after the holidays.

Quinones comes from a law enforcement family. Both his parents are retired from the New York City Police Department.  His father, Hector “Ed” Quinones, said he felt the decision behind his son’s termination was political. His mother Ellen Donovan said they are very proud of their son and his 12 years of military service. 

“They’re basing his performance basically one week,” said Evelina Quinones concerning the reports about her husband. “I read all his reviews. All he ever wanted to do was be an officer and follow his parents.”

Former Rockland County Policeman’s Benevolent Association President Joseph Clark said he thought Quinones’ military responsibilities played a role in the department’s decision because of the leave time he would need to fulfill his military duty.

Several current police officers spoke about time they had been granted to serve military duty.

Police Chief Michael Sullivan said the department is prepared and eager to fight the allegations that Quinones was improperly terminated.

“But the most disturbing thing I find is the accusation that this town and this town board is not supportive of its active military personnel,” said Sullivan. “That is so far from the truth as to be preposterous and ridiculous.”  

To reinforce his position, Sullivan said from 2001 to 2013 the department paid for an average of 101 military days per year with some officers serving long tours in Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan. He said officers receive full pay while fulfilling their military obligation and full benefits. Sullivan said other officers had gone on military leave while on probationary status. 

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