Harrison police chief retires amid sex harassment allegations

<p>Harrison police chief Michael Olsey retired Thursday amid allegations of sexual harassment.&nbsp;</p>

News 12 Staff

Feb 16, 2018, 10:39 PM

Updated 2,260 days ago

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Harrison police chief Michael Olsey retired Thursday amid allegations of sexual harassment.
Olsey submitted a letter to the mayor and town board making his retirement effective immediately.
"It's been a great pleasure to serve the town of Harrison," Olsey said in a statement to News 12. "I have been offered other opportunities that I am currently pursuing."
Olsey spent more than 20 years with the department and 14 months as chief.
In December, a written complaint was filed by detective Derka Abbate accusing the former police chief of sexual harassment and lewd behavior for nearly six years.
Olsey would not say anything about the accusations, only that there is an open investigation.
Abbate says the investigation is being handled "extremely poorly" by the town of Harrison.
News 12 submitted a Freedom of Information request last month asking for any other complaints, disciplinary actions or commendations regarding Olsey, but it was denied.
News 12 reached out to the mayor and town attorney, but both declined on-camera interviews. They both said the investigation is ongoing and a significant amount of resources are being put into the probe, which has no timeframe.
Captain Edward Detlefs will now be acting chief of the department, overseeing 63 officers.


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