A suspended Orange County police chief who is running for Rockland County sheriff is once again under fire.



News 12 obtained a Woodbury PBA letter that called suspended Police Chief Richard Vasquez "hostile" toward officers. It also said he was "unfit to perform his job" and called for his removal from office.

Vasquez, who is running for Rockland County sheriff, was suspended last week amid allegations he campaigned instead of doing his job.

On Wednesday, News 12 spoke to Vasquez's former partner who lives in Woodbury and questions the truth and timing behind the complaints.

"It's a political witch hunt by the supervisor and PBA. I'm surprised the PBA would get involved," says his former partner.

Vasquez has not returned calls from News 12, but supporters say he's hired an attorney and that the truth will eventually come out.

Woodbury Town Supervisor Ralph Caruso calls the suspension a "personnel matter" and referred News 12 to a town attorney who did not return calls.