Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard, along with the executive leadership of the Mount Vernon Police Department, held a press conference, on Friday, December 13th to address media questions following a comprehensive review of the Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation report, in the City Council Chamber.
Mayor
Westchester District Attorney-elect Judge Susan Cacace has introduced the members of her 30-person Transition Team and scheduled their first meeting.
“We’re all excited about the formation of this team,” says Judge Cacace. “I’ve spent this last year listening to the concerns of the communities all around Westchester County, and this team is a reflection of that.”
The transition team brings together a wide range of perspectives including prosecutors and defense attorneys, law enforcement representatives, labor union leaders, community and minority advocates, academic law experts, and more. The full team consists of:
Willie Saez, President of the Westchester County Police Benevolent Association, emphasized the importance of collaboration: “The relationship between the District Attorney and law enforcement is arguably the most important relationship in the office. We are thrilled that Judge Cacace will be the next DA and I’m excited to be a part of this Transition Team. Working together is the best approach to achieving our common goal of Community Safety.”
Community Activist and Mount Vernon resident Greg Bonaparte expressed the importance of all communities having a voice in this new administration: “I am so honored to be a part of this transition team. I had the privilege of getting to know Susan very well during her campaign and I’m proud to stay a part of her team in this new capacity. Many communities feel ignored and neglected in this county. Susan was exceptionally sensitive to that during her campaign and she is proving already to be true to her word of making sure all communities and parts of this county have a voice in her office. I believe this is the beginning of a new day in Westchester and I couldn’t be happier to be a part of it.”
Lou Picani, President of the Teamsters 456 and Westchester Putnam Building & Construction Trades Council Political Affairs Director stress the significance of union relationships with the DAs office: “As a Union President, it’s important for me to be able to report to my membership that our issues are heard in this District Attorney’s administration. We have unique concerns like ensuring that prevailing wage is enforced and combatting wage theft and it’s important that whoever is heading this office has an understanding of the specific challenges our workers face. I have every confidence Judge Cacace is the right person to lead this office and being asked to join the transition team only reinforces that belief.”
“I’m going to keep my promise of running an office based on transparency and with input from stakeholders throughout the county,” underscores Judge Cacace. “All communities will have a voice here and they will be heard. The formation of this team is the first step towards keeping that promise.”
The first meeting of the Transition Team is scheduled for January 18th.
In the wake of the Department of Justice’s recent report exposing systemic misconduct within the Mount Vernon Police Department, the Blacks in Law Enforcement of America (BLEA) has outlined a comprehensive reform plan to restore trust and accountability in law enforcement. These recommendations, first proposed in 2020, address the systemic issues highlighted by the DOJ and offer a roadmap for creating a more equitable and effective police force.
The DOJ report has cast a spotlight on long-standing issues of misconduct, bias, and lack of accountability within the Mount Vernon Police Department. BLEA emphasizes that these problems cannot be solved without a fundamental cultural shift within the department and a renewed focus on building trust with the community.
“Law enforcement cannot build community trust if it is seen as an occupying force,” the BLEA report warns. Instead, officers should adopt a “guardian mindset,” prioritizing public service, empathy, and procedural justice.
Damon K. Jones, New York Representative for the Blacks in Law Enforcement of America, stressed the importance of recognizing both the good officers on the force and the systemic failures that undermine their efforts.
“Let me make this clear: there are many good officers in Mount Vernon. Most of the force is deeply committed to protecting and serving their community honorably. These officers deserve respect and recognition for their dedication. This is especially true given the challenges of policing in an era of heightened scrutiny and strained resources. To preserve their character and honor, it is even more crucial to address the systemic failures revealed in this report. When misconduct persists unchecked and accountability is absent, the dedicated work of these officers is overshadowed by the stain of a few bad actors,” Jones said.
Jones also highlighted the broader implications of leadership failures. “This is not just about police misconduct—it is about political accountability. The report exposes how leadership failed to implement the oversight, policies, and reforms necessary to prevent these abuses. The result is a department with systemic dysfunctions that disproportionately harm the very people these leaders are meant to serve,” he added.
The following recommendations draw from a wealth of proven best practices, including President Barack Obama’s 21st Century Policing initiative, the 2009 Use of Force Training for the Westchester County Police Academy, the 2009 New York State Task Force on Police-on-Police Shooting, the 2008 report The Effect of Collective Bargaining on the Use of Innovative Policy from the University of North Florida, and Robert Peel’s foundational Nine Peelian Principles of policing. Together, these frameworks provide a solid foundation for addressing systemic dysfunctions and improving police-community relations.
BLEA’s recommendations offer concrete steps to address the challenges identified in Mount Vernon:
To maintain high standards, BLEA stresses the importance of national accreditation and robust accountability measures. Key steps include:
The BLEA recommendations, informed by decades of research and field-tested strategies, emphasize that trust begins within the department itself. Promoting fairness, transparency, and procedural justice internally will translate to better treatment of community members.
While the DOJ’s report highlights Mount Vernon’s challenges, BLEA stresses that its recommendations are applicable across the nation. Departments must rise to the occasion and prioritize accountability to ensure that the hard work of good officers is not overshadowed by systemic failings.
The Blacks in Law Enforcement of America’s proposals provide a path forward to rebuild public trust and restore the honor of law enforcement in Mount Vernon. As Damon K. Jones aptly noted, addressing systemic issues is not just about correcting misconduct, but about holding political leaders accountable for their role in fostering dysfunction. By implementing evidence-based practices, fostering accountability, and engaging the community, Mount Vernon has the opportunity to lead the way in transformative police reform.
Blacks in Law Enforcement of America Police Reform Blueprint by Damon K Jones on Scribd
Today, Nader Sayegh formally declares his candidacy for Westchester County Clerk. Sayegh, a
Democratic State Assemblyman from Yonkers since 2018, brings experience and a strong
background in his candidacy for County Clerk. Sayegh was previously an educator and school
administrator for the Yonkers Public Schools including serving as the President of the Board of
Education. In addition to serving as a State Assemblyman, Nader Sayegh is an attorney with a
law practice focusing on Personal Injury, Real Estate, and Immigration.
“I am proud to announce that I will be seeking the Democratic Nomination for Westchester
County Clerk”, said Nader Sayegh. “I thank County Clerk Timothy Idoni for his years of service
improving the Clerk’s Office. I look forward to bringing my unique skill set to build on the
amazing work Tim has done and to continue moving the County Clerk’s office forward.”
Nader Sayegh has already been unanimously endorsed by the Yonkers Democratic City
Committee.
“I look forward to campaigning strongly in every corner of our great County. The County Clerk’s
office plays such a crucial in providing services to the residents including legal records,
passports, and land records. My experience as an attorney, State Legislator, and School
Administrator makes me uniquely qualified to lead the County Clerk’s office,” stated Nader
Sayegh.
Nader Sayegh is a lifelong resident of Westchester with an extensive record of community
service and volunteerism addressing education, health care, and food insecurity. Nader and his
wife Sana have 5 daughters and 7 grandchildren.
The United States Department of Justice today released a report finding that the Mount Vernon Police Department has engaged in a pattern of civil rights abuses, including by using excessive force and making illegal arrests. In response, the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) released the following statement attributable to Special Counsel for Criminal Justice Litigation Daniel Lambright:
“DOJ’s extensive findings make clear that the Mount Vernon Police Department has a long history of violating residents’ constitutional rights, with officers acting as if they are above the law.
“Today’s report is an important step towards bringing lasting accountability to the police force. Local officials must implement substantial reforms to address the unlawful and unconstitutional conduct described in this scathing report.
“The Mount Vernon Police Department clearly cannot police itself. This report must be a wake-up call for the department to meaningfully curtail the use of force, follow the law, and reduce interactions with civilians. The Mount Vernon Police Department must be accountable to the people, not escalators in chief.”
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 Justice Department will hold a virtual community meeting on December 16, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. E.T. Members of the public are encouraged to attend to learn more about the findings.
The recently released Department of Justice (DOJ) report on the Mount Vernon Police Department (MVPD) paints a disturbing picture of systemic abuses, unconstitutional policing, and leadership failures. For a city led by a Democratic majority with predominantly Black elected officials, these findings are not just a critique of governance—they are a profound indictment of moral responsibility and a act of Black conscious maleficence.
Let me make this clear: there are many good officers in Mount Vernon. Most of the force is deeply committed to protecting and serving their community honorably. These officers deserve respect and recognition for their dedication. This is especially true given the challenges of policing in an era of heightened scrutiny and strained resources. To preserve their character and honor, it is even more crucial to address the systemic failures revealed in this report. When misconduct persists unchecked and accountability is absent, the dedicated work of these officers is overshadowed by the stain of a few bad actors.
The Findings: A Stain on Leadership and Policing
The DOJ investigation uncovered years of unconstitutional practices: excessive use of force, routine invasive strip searches, unlawful arrests, and discriminatory policing targeting Black residents. These systemic failures did not occur in a vacuum—they were enabled by years of political negligence, where mayor after mayor and council member after council member kicked the can down the road, failing to confront the abuses within the department. And while some of the main abusers may now be retired, collecting pensions far removed from the consequences of their actions, the fallout tarnishes the reputation of the officers currently serving with honor.
For a city governed by Black leaders who should intimately understand the history of policing and its fraught relationship with Black communities, this report is devastating. It is not merely a failing of policy—it is a betrayal of the trust placed in leadership by a community that expected better. When political leaders campaign on promises of justice and equity, they must ensure those principles are upheld in every facet of governance, especially public safety.
What makes this particularly disheartening is that Mount Vernon is a historically Democratic-run city led by Black elected officials who should understand the deep wounds of systemic racism and the historical injustices inflicted by law enforcement on Black communities. It is hypocritical to call out Republicans for perpetuating systemic inequalities. At the same time, a city under Democratic leadership is documented to engage in patterns of abuse and constitutional violations that disproportionately target Black residents. Failing to confront this reality not only undermines our credibility but perpetuates the very racism we claim to fight against
A Betrayal of Trust
Mount Vernon, a majority-Black city and, for the past 30 years, a majority-Black government with a Black mayor, city council, and Black police commissioners, should be a beacon of equitable governance and justice. Yet, the systemic abuses documented in this report tell a different story. It is particularly damning because, as Black leaders, there is an expectation to lead with a deeper consciousness and understanding of the consequences of systemic harm. How can we claim to champion Black Lives Matter if we fail to protect Black lives in our communities?
This is not just about police misconduct—it is about political accountability. The report exposes how leadership failed to implement the oversight, policies, and reforms necessary to prevent these abuses. The result is a department with systemic dysfunctions that disproportionately harm the very people these leaders are meant to serve.
Good Officers Deserve Better
Most Mount Vernon’s officers work tirelessly to build trust and protect their community, often under challenging circumstances. Their dedication is now overshadowed by a legacy of neglect and misconduct they had no part in creating. The failure to act decisively against abuses undermines community trust and tarnishes these honorable officers’ reputations. They deserve a department—and leadership—that reflects the best of their commitment to public service.
When the political establishment turns a blind eye to misconduct, it leaves good officers unsupported and communities vulnerable. This report highlights how systemic failures harm everyone: the victims of abuse, the dedicated officers working to uphold the law, and the broader community that suffers the erosion of trust.
The DOJ report is not just a call to action—it is a mandate for transformation. It is incumbent upon the Mayor to go beyond the DOJ’s recommendations and deliver a comprehensive plan that not only addresses the systemic failures detailed in the report but also ensures lasting reform through accountability and transparency. This urgency is underscored by the city’s recent negotiation of one of the largest contracts in MVPD history, which glaringly omitted critical accountability measures like mandating officer participation in Civilian Complaint Review Boards (CCRB). This missed opportunity sends a troubling message about the city’s priorities and its commitment to meaningful change.
What makes this so disheartening is that Mount Vernon has historically been the only police department in Westchester County to have Black commissioners—a point of pride that should symbolize progress and equity. Yet, this report exposes a harsh truth: how can we preach against bigotry and racism in law enforcement when the only department with a majority of Black leadership and Black officers engages in the same oppressive practices? It tarnishes our credibility and undermines the hard-fought gains of representation and those elders who fought for Black people to even have the job.
All of Mount Vernon’s leaders—elected officials, pastors, and even civil rights organizations—bear a profound responsibility for the outcomes revealed in this DOJ report, particularly as stewards of a majority-Black city. This didn’t happen overnight; it was allowed to fester over years, enabled by a silent majority and a complacent Black leadership that prioritized securing political favors over holding city government accountable to the people. This failure to act has left the community vulnerable, betrayed the trust of residents, and perpetuated the very systemic injustices we claim to oppose.
It forces us to confront an uncomfortable question when a Black govern city allows this to take place in its police department? Who are the racist? When a city governed by Black leadership oversees a police department documented to have engaged in patterns of rights violations, the failure to act becomes a form Black on Black racism. Reforming the police department is not just about addressing past wrongs; it is about creating a future where every resident feels safe, respected, and valued. The people of Mount Vernon are watching, and they deserve leadership that meets this moment with courage, foresight, and unwavering commitment to meaningful change. The time for excuses is over—now is the time for bold, decisive action to dismantle the systems of neglect and corruption, and to restore trust, justice, and accountability in our community.
The three-day-long strike at the Strand Bookstore has officially ended as UAW Local 2179 members have returned to work and ratified a new union contract.
The strike was the first at the iconic bookstore since the early 1990s and came during the busy holiday shopping season. From December 7th-9th, Strand workers picketed and demonstrated outside the Strand’s flagship location at 828 Broadway, joined by community supporters and elected officials, including New York State Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, New York State Senator Jessica Ramos, and New York City Comptroller Brad Lander. A tentative agreement between Strand and the union was reached Monday night, and ratified by the members on Thursday.
Securing higher wages was the top priority at the bargaining table, and the four-year agreement includes a 37% raise over the life of the contract. New hires are also guaranteed to be hired above the minimum wage. The new contract includes substantial improvements to employees’ healthcare plan, and guarantees no reduction in paid time off for workers.
Workers at the East Village’s Strand Bookstore went on strike the morning of Saturday, December 7th during the peak holiday shopping season, demanding better wages after negotiations with management broke down.
Strand Bookstore has been in business for over 97 years and employs over 150 people.
“This is by far the best contract for workers in Strand history,” says Andrew Stando, a Strand worker and union shop steward. “The days of Strand workers struggling at minimum wage are over.”
Mount Vernon Mayor Shawn Patterson-Howard released a statement Thursday, announcing Associate Judge Peter Davis will fill the vacancy in Mount Vernon City Court due to City Court Judge Lyndon Williams retiring.
Today, we are pleased to announce that Associate Judge Peter Davis has agreed to temporarily fill the full-time judicial vacancy created by Judge Lyndon Williams’s upcoming retirement.
He will assume the role on January 1, 2025, and serve until the end of the year after the election for a successor judge is held in November 2025.
Despite Judge Davis stepping into this increased role of service to the Mount Vernon City Court, he retains the right to return to his Associate Judgeship to complete his current term following the election of a successor judge.
The City will be looking for qualified candidates to serve for one year as the part-time judge in Judge Davis’ stead. The process to be considered will be announced in the coming weeks.
As a result of this development, the City will no longer be accepting resumes for the full-time position.
Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard thanks the members of the Judicial Appointment Committee for their willingness to serve.
We thank Judge Davis for his dedication to justice and for accepting this expanded role during this critical time.
Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard has appointed Peter Saint George Davis as associate city court judge in Mount Vernon for a six-year term effective January 1, 2022. He replaced Judge Adam Seiden, who retired. Judge Saint George Davis has over 28 years of experience in the legal field as a former assistant district attorney and indigent defense attorney in private practice.
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.
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Kristen Clarke, Assistant Attorney General for the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, announced today that the Department of Justice, following a comprehensive investigation, has concluded that the Mount Vernon Police Department (“MVPD”) engages in a pattern or practice of conduct that deprives people of rights secured by the U.S. Constitution and federal law.
Mount Vernon Findings Report by BLACK WESTCHESTER MAGAZINE on Scribd
Specifically, the Department of Justice finds that MVPD:
The Department also identified serious concerns with MVPD’s vehicle stop and evidence collection practices, as well as serious concerns about discriminatory policing in predominantly Black neighborhoods. Deficiencies in policies, training, supervision, and accountability systems contribute to MVPD’s unlawful practices.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Our investigation has found reasonable cause to believe that MVPD engages in a pattern or practice of conduct that violates the constitutional rights of the citizens it has sworn to protect. The systemic deficiencies we identified have resulted in a pattern of MVPD officers using excessive force; making illegal arrests; and, for many years, regularly conducting unlawful strip searches and body cavity searches. We are encouraged by the recent steps the City of Mount Vernon and the MVPD have taken that evince a commitment to constitutional policing, and we look forward to continued cooperation to ensure that MVPD keeps its community safe from crime while respecting its citizens’ constitutional rights.”
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke said: “Our investigation into the Mount Vernon Police Department reveals a pattern and practice of unlawful conduct that can and must be addressed. While officials have undertaken preliminary actions to address some areas of concern, the city and police department must institute comprehensive measures that will fully and finally bring an end to these unconstitutional practices. It will require commitment and hard work by the leadership of the city and the police department as well as by rank-and-file officers. We stand ready to work with Mount Vernon officials to achieve constitutional policing and to strengthen community trust. Police reform will not happen overnight. Across the country, the department’s investigations, findings reports, and resulting reform measures help law enforcement agencies become the departments that their citizens need and deserve.”
The Department of Justice opened this investigation on December 3, 2021. Career attorneys and staff conducted the investigation in the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the Civil Rights Division’s Special Litigation Section. The Department interviewed MVPD command staff and supervisors, patrol officers, police union representatives, Mount Vernon residents, Westchester County District Attorney’s Office prosecutors, defense attorneys, and local civic associations. The Department also reviewed MVPD’s arrest reports, use-of-force reports, stops, search, and arrest data, policies, training materials, and internal affairs files.
The Department met regularly throughout the investigation with the City of Mount Vernon and MVPD officials to provide feedback on the observations of the Department and the Department’s policing experts.
The Department conducted this investigation pursuant to 34 U.S.C. § 12601 (Section 12601), which prohibits law enforcement officers from engaging in a pattern or practice of conduct that deprives people of rights protected by the Constitution or federal law.
The Department will be conducting outreach to members of the Mount Vernon community for input on remedies to address the investigation’s findings. Individuals may also submit recommendations by email at community.mvpd@usdoj.gov or by phone at 1-866-985-1378.
This is one of 12 investigations into law enforcement agencies opened by the Department of Justice under Section 12601 since April 2021. The Department has issued Section 12601 findings reports regarding seven of those investigations: the Louisville, Kentucky, Metro Police Department; Minneapolis, Minnesota, Police Department; the Phoenix, Arizona, Police Department; the Lexington, Mississippi, Police Department; the Trenton, New Jersey, Police Department; the Memphis, Tennessee, Police Department; and the Worcester, Massachusetts, Police Department. The four other investigations cover the Louisiana State Police; New York City Police Department’s Special Victims Division; the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Police Department; and Rankin County, Mississippi, Sheriff’s Department.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York specifically has handled four investigations since the passage of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, now known as Section 12601. The Southern District of New York successfully concluded its investigation with police practice reforms to the Beacon Police Department in 2010 and to the Yonkers Police Department in 2024. In addition to announcing its findings with regard to the MVPD, the Southern District is continuing its investigation into the New York City Police Department’s Special Victims Division announced on June 30, 2022.
Additional information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York is available at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny. Additional information about the Civil Rights Division is available on its website at https://www.justice.gov/crt. Information specific to the Civil Rights Division’s Police Reform Work can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/crt/file/922421/download.
The Justice Department will hold a virtual community meeting on December 16, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. E.T. Members of the public are encouraged to attend to learn more about the findings.
Please register to join the meeting at: www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_jxTvdftFR_KZtUwFvH1ADQ.
The case is being handled by the Civil Rights Unit in the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the Special Litigation Section of the Civil Rights Division, in Washington, D.C. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lucas Issacharoff and Jacob Lillywhite and Trial Attorney Nicole Porter are in charge of the case.
The publication provides coverage of local events, politics, culture, and issues particularly relevant to African American residents. With a commitment to amplifying Black voices and perspectives, Black Westchester Magazine aims to inform, empower, and connect its readership through in-depth reporting and community engagement.
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