Supervisor-Mayor Joan Walsh?s attempt to launch an independent investigation into Harrison?s police department was shot down Wednesday night at a town meeting.

During a closed door ?executive session? of the Harrison Town Board a New York City law firm was supposed to be selected to probe the nature of lawsuits filed against the town?s police department.

Instead, Harrison Councilman Joseph Cannella announced to the raucous crowd gathered at the meeting that the board had rejected Walsh?s proposal.

"Nothing is happening tonight. That's where we are at,? Cannella said. ?That's the consensus of this board.?

There are 11 lawsuits pending against members of the Harrison Police Department and Chief David Hall. Nearly all of them have been filed by the same attorney representing cops with grievances against the department.

Hall has now hired attorney Al Pirro to block attempts by Walsh to bring in an outside investigator.

Pirro says the town should wait until all the lawsuits are settled before any probe is launched.

Residents gathered at the meeting were overwhelmingly against Walsh?s plan.

Walsh says she still expects her plan to move forward in the near future.