New Paltz police officer Robert Sisco, who spent much of 2020 on administrative leave for recording a controversial rap video and was later accused of harassments, did not get the cell-phone number of his accuser from the complaint filed with the department, according to chief Robert Lucchesi.
Speaking at the police commission meeting December 17, Lucchesi explained that such information was only available to the chief and lieutenant.
Jennica Cochrane filed a complaint over the summer, stemming from an incident some years before, which in an interview Cochrane described as Sisco attempting a romantic pickup of the jogging Cochrane by using the lights and siren of a patrol car. More recently, Cochrane received two phone calls from Sisco on a private number that had been provided in the complaint, and is of the opinion that Sisco could only have obtained that number from the complaint itself.
Lucchesi explained that such complaints are kept in a secure electronic file that only the two town top cops can access. The chief did not specify whether Cochrane’s complaint was filed electronically or on paper, or how paper or emailed copies of such a complaint are safeguarded. Nevertheless, as the chief explained during the online meeting, “I understand why [Cochrane] think[s] it came from us, but I can assure you that it didn’t.”
Related: New Paltz police officer Robert Sisco says he’s sorry for rap video
The usual process when a complaint is received is to begin the investigation by talking with the officer, but Sisco has been on administrative leave after recording a rap video while apparently on duty that touched upon themes that were seen by some as misogynistic and trans-phobic. After an independent arbitrator — required per the police contract to rule on such issues — determined that Sisco should not be fired, a last-chance agreement was signed by town officials and the officer.
According to the town attorney, any violation of that agreement could result in termination. A copy of the agreement has been sought via a freedom-of-information request, and according to the town clerk should be available later this week.
Lieutenant Scott Butler has made attempts to contact Cochrane, but as of the December 17 meeting those efforts had been unsuccessful.
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