A surprising incident involving Spring Valley’s Mayor Alan Simon and the village’s police chief has come to light. According to a report by Daily Voice and Rockland County Business Journal, Mayor Simon allegedly put his hands on Police Chief Richard Oleszczuk after the chief refused to follow the mayor’s verbal orders.
The incident reportedly occurred in the Spring Valley Village Hall in May. Sources say tensions rose when Mayor Simon directed Chief Oleszczuk to remove an individual from the building.
The police chief declined, saying there was no legal reason to take such action. The refusal angered the mayor, who then stood up, approached the chief, and placed his hands on him during the argument.
According to people familiar with the event, this action was physical but not violent. However, the act has stirred concerns and is being seen as inappropriate, especially from a public official. Reports suggest there is security camera footage of the event, though it has not been made public.
The disagreement seems to have stemmed from a deeper tension between the mayor and the police chief. Chief Oleszczuk, who was appointed by the village board, is known to operate independently of the mayor’s direct control in some law enforcement matters. This difference in authority reportedly led to the disagreement that escalated.
Some community members and officials are calling for a formal review of the incident. Critics say the mayor’s behavior is unacceptable and should be investigated. On the other hand, some supporters of the mayor say the situation was blown out of proportion.
Mayor Simon has faced criticism in the past for his leadership style, with opponents describing it as heavy-handed. This latest development is likely to fuel more debate within the community. At the moment, no official charges or disciplinary actions have been announced.
The incident is now reportedly being reviewed by the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office. It remains unclear if any legal steps will be taken. Local officials and residents are watching closely to see what happens next.
This incident also brings attention to how village leadership interacts with law enforcement and where the line is drawn between giving directives and crossing boundaries. If the security footage confirms the reported physical contact, it could lead to further scrutiny of Mayor Simon’s role and responsibilities.
Chief Oleszczuk has not commented publicly on the incident so far. His silence is being seen by many as a sign of professionalism, while others believe it reflects the seriousness of the situation. Meanwhile, Mayor Simon has not issued an official statement either.
At the time of writing, the Spring Valley Village Board has not scheduled a public discussion on the matter. However, growing public interest may force them to address it soon.
The Spring Valley Police Department continues to operate as usual under Chief Oleszczuk’s leadership. No operational disruptions have been reported since the incident.