City of Mount Vernon Responds to Receiving DOJ Investigation Into The MVPD

The City of Mount Vernon received the release of the findings from the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) pattern and practice investigation into the Mount Vernon Police Department, Thursday morning. This investigation, initiated in December 2021, examined allegations of discriminatory policing practices, including the use of force, strip, and body cavity searches, and the handling of evidence.

Over the past three years, the City of Mount Vernon Police Department has provided the DOJ with extensive documentation (over 100,000 pages), statistics, and access to its police database, records, and reporting systems. The DOJ also engaged with members of the police department and community to gain a comprehensive understanding of the concerns, complaints, and challenges faced.

On December 11, 2024, city leadership, including Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard, Council President Cathlin Gleason, Corporation Counsel Brian G. Johnson, Special Council William O. Wagstaff III, and the Mount Vernon Police Department Executive Leadership Team, met with the DOJ to receive a preliminary overview of the findings, concerns, and recommendations.

“Today, we received the findings of the DOJ’s investigation, and we are committed to digesting the report thoroughly in the coming weeks” stated Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard. “We will work collaboratively with the DOJ to address findings, and areas of concern, build upon our reform efforts, and work diligently to ensure a world-class police department that is responsive to and trusted by our community. We have never run from this issue.  We wholeheartedly support our good officers and at the same time will not tolerate and will punish unconstitutional policing.”

Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard also stated “Upon entering office in 2020, our administration identified over 50 unprocessed complaints and inherited a whistleblower case. After review, we sent over a dozen cases to the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office in 2020 and 2021 for further investigation. Additionally, in February 2021, we contracted Special Council for Police Discipline which has resulted in the termination of (3) three police officers, (2) civilian employees (3) stipulations of retirement as well as discipline for multiple officers and civilian employees. There were an additional three officers who were relieved of duty for reasons other than unconstitutional policing.”

“I stand firm on the belief that our police officers and leadership work hard every day to keep our community safe and build public trust.  We have driven and embraced reforms, expanded law enforcement and community partnerships, cooperated with the DOJ, and will continue to do so. While we may have limited resources; we are committed to securing the funding needed to enhance technology, tools, training and salaries that ensure constitutional policing, retention of good officers and build a world-class police department”

Before and throughout the investigation, the City of Mount Vernon has taken significant steps to enhance access, transparency, and accountability, including the following:

– Since 2020 we have developed and/or revised 18 policies to ensure constitutional policing and enhance community safety including strip and cavity search policy, use of force policy, internal affairs investigation policy, and civilian complaints policy.

– In 2022 we assigned a full-time Sgt. to enhance and oversee the training unit.  We provided training on over 60 topics annually including but not limited to Body Cameras, Procedural Justice, Implicit Bias, Improving Police and Public Trust, Vehicle Stops and Probable Cause for Search and Seizures, Prisoner Search Training, Use of Non-Lethal Force, Persons in Crisis and engaging vulnerable populations.

– Increased the number of body-worn cameras, introduced dashboard cameras, installation of cameras inside the cell block the hallways, and outside of the police precinct to ensure accountability and improve investigations

-Expanded training on the use of tasers, pepper spray, and other non-lethal tools.

-We have invested in software and the hiring of civilian public safety analysts that will allow us to track not only patterns of crime but patterns of use of force, civilian complaints, internal affairs investigations, traffic and pedestrian stops, and demographic data. This will enhance administrative oversight of day-to-day police operations.

-Hired a civilian Deputy Commissioner of Wellness and Reform and instituted a Wellness Precinct and Mobile Crisis Response Team for a citywide co-response model of policing and supporting our vulnerable populations. 

-Hired a Director of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement who will work with our neighborhood associations, civic, not-for-profit, faith community, and Director of Constituent Services to involve stakeholders in improving public safety, a sense of well-being, reduce violence, improve quality of life and improve police/community relationships. 

– Hosted community conversations and town hall meetings to build trust and foster transparency.

“The Mount Vernon Police will respond to the DOJ investigation after we have had an opportunity to thoroughly review DOJ’s findings”, stated David Gibson, Acting Commissioner of Mount Vernon Police Department. “We take the findings of this investigation very seriously and will take all necessary steps to improve our organization. The MVPD will continue to hold its members to the highest level of accountability and strive to correct any imperfection as we serve our community.

“The Mount Vernon Police Department remains committed to constitutional public safety”, stated Marcel Jay Olifiers, Mount Vernon Chief of Police. “Working with the DOJ’s recommendations, we will continue to implement the reforms we initiated prior to the release of the report and strengthen our relationship with the community. We will meet with our community partners regarding the findings of the report to ensure their voices are heard as we work towards a safer community.”

Currently, the Mount Vernon Police Department operates with a budgeted strength of 208 sworn officers but has 161 officers as of December 10, 2024. The department also includes approximately 65 civilian staff members, including jailers, dispatchers, clerical staff, and other support positions.

The City of Mount Vernon pledges to continue engaging with the community through town hall meetings to discuss the DOJ report and outline the next steps. Together, we will work towards a stronger, more transparent, and community-oriented police department.

Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard, along with the executive leadership of the Mount Vernon Police Department, will hold a press conference on Friday, December 13, 2024, at 11:00 am in the City Council Chambers to address media questions following a comprehensive review of the Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation report. The session will provide insights into the report’s findings, the city’s response, and current and future actions to ensure accountability and transparency in constitutional policing. A Q&A session with the media will follow.

The City of Mount Vernon received the release of the findings from the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) pattern and practice investigation into the Mount Vernon Police Department, Thursday morning. This investigation, initiated in December 2021, examined allegations of discriminatory policing practices, including the use of force, strip, and body cavity searches, and the handling of evidence.

Over the past three years, the City of Mount Vernon Police Department has provided the DOJ with extensive documentation (over 100,000 pages), statistics, and access to its police database, records, and reporting systems. The DOJ also engaged with members of the police department and community to gain a comprehensive understanding of the concerns, complaints, and challenges faced.

On December 11, 2024, city leadership, including Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard, Council President Cathlin Gleason, Corporation Counsel Brian G. Johnson, Special Council William O. Wagstaff III, and the Mount Vernon Police Department Executive Leadership Team, met with the DOJ to receive a preliminary overview of the findings, concerns, and recommendations.

“Today, we received the findings of the DOJ’s investigation, and we are committed to digesting the report thoroughly in the coming weeks” stated Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard. “We will work collaboratively with the DOJ to address findings, and areas of concern, build upon our reform efforts, and work diligently to ensure a world-class police department that is responsive to and trusted by our community. We have never run from this issue.  We wholeheartedly support our good officers and at the same time will not tolerate and will punish unconstitutional policing.”

Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard also stated “Upon entering office in 2020, our administration identified over 50 unprocessed complaints and inherited a whistleblower case. After review, we sent over a dozen cases to the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office in 2020 and 2021 for further investigation. Additionally, in February 2021, we contracted Special Council for Police Discipline which has resulted in the termination of (3) three police officers, (2) civilian employees (3) stipulations of retirement as well as discipline for multiple officers and civilian employees. There were an additional three officers who were relieved of duty for reasons other than unconstitutional policing.”

“I stand firm on the belief that our police officers and leadership work hard every day to keep our community safe and build public trust.  We have driven and embraced reforms, expanded law enforcement and community partnerships, cooperated with the DOJ, and will continue to do so. While we may have limited resources; we are committed to securing the funding needed to enhance technology, tools, training and salaries that ensure constitutional policing, retention of good officers and build a world-class police department”

Before and throughout the investigation, the City of Mount Vernon has taken significant steps to enhance access, transparency, and accountability, including the following:

– Since 2020 we have developed and/or revised 18 policies to ensure constitutional policing and enhance community safety including strip and cavity search policy, use of force policy, internal affairs investigation policy, and civilian complaints policy.

– In 2022 we assigned a full-time Sgt. to enhance and oversee the training unit.  We provided training on over 60 topics annually including but not limited to Body Cameras, Procedural Justice, Implicit Bias, Improving Police and Public Trust, Vehicle Stops and Probable Cause for Search and Seizures, Prisoner Search Training, Use of Non-Lethal Force, Persons in Crisis and engaging vulnerable populations.

– Increased the number of body-worn cameras, introduced dashboard cameras, installation of cameras inside the cell block the hallways, and outside of the police precinct to ensure accountability and improve investigations

-Expanded training on the use of tasers, pepper spray, and other non-lethal tools.

-We have invested in software and the hiring of civilian public safety analysts that will allow us to track not only patterns of crime but patterns of use of force, civilian complaints, internal affairs investigations, traffic and pedestrian stops, and demographic data. This will enhance administrative oversight of day-to-day police operations.

-Hired a civilian Deputy Commissioner of Wellness and Reform and instituted a Wellness Precinct and Mobile Crisis Response Team for a citywide co-response model of policing and supporting our vulnerable populations. 

-Hired a Director of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement who will work with our neighborhood associations, civic, not-for-profit, faith community, and Director of Constituent Services to involve stakeholders in improving public safety, a sense of well-being, reduce violence, improve quality of life and improve police/community relationships. 

– Hosted community conversations and town hall meetings to build trust and foster transparency.

“The Mount Vernon Police will respond to the DOJ investigation after we have had an opportunity to thoroughly review DOJ’s findings”, stated David Gibson, Acting Commissioner of Mount Vernon Police Department. “We take the findings of this investigation very seriously and will take all necessary steps to improve our organization. The MVPD will continue to hold its members to the highest level of accountability and strive to correct any imperfection as we serve our community.

“The Mount Vernon Police Department remains committed to constitutional public safety”, stated Marcel Jay Olifiers, Mount Vernon Chief of Police. “Working with the DOJ’s recommendations, we will continue to implement the reforms we initiated prior to the release of the report and strengthen our relationship with the community. We will meet with our community partners regarding the findings of the report to ensure their voices are heard as we work towards a safer community.”

Currently, the Mount Vernon Police Department operates with a budgeted strength of 208 sworn officers but has 161 officers as of December 10, 2024. The department also includes approximately 65 civilian staff members, including jailers, dispatchers, clerical staff, and other support positions.

The City of Mount Vernon pledges to continue engaging with the community through town hall meetings to discuss the DOJ report and outline the next steps. Together, we will work towards a stronger, more transparent, and community-oriented police department.

Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard, along with the executive leadership of the Mount Vernon Police Department, will hold a press conference on Friday, December 13, 2024, at 11:00 am in the City Council Chambers to address media questions following a comprehensive review of the Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation report. The session will provide insights into the report’s findings, the city’s response, and current and future actions to ensure accountability and transparency in constitutional policing. A Q&A session with the media will follow.