Mount Vernon Police Department facing civil rights violations from DOJ investigation
MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. -- The Mount Vernon Police Department in Westchester County, New York is facing civil rights violations from the U.S. Department of Justice.
The violations are the result of a three-year investigation by the Justice Department, which found Mount Vernon police used excessive force in numerous ways.
Police conducted unlawful strip searches, DOJ alleges
In one example, the DOJ says they have been "unnecessarily escalating minor encounters by overusing Tasers and closed-fist strikes," particularly against people who are already restrained.
The DOJ also alleges the department conducted unlawful strip searches of individuals until at least 2023 and made arrests without probable cause.
Since the investigation was opened, the police department has implemented a number of changes, including working to equip all officers with body cameras, according to the DOJ, with more work to be done.
"Our investigation into the Mount Vernon Police Department reveals a pattern and practice of unlawful conduct that can and must be addressed," Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, said in a statement Thursday. "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."
Mayor says she welcomes investigation into police force
Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard says she is not running from the issue and that Mount Vernon is committed to reform. She welcomed the investigation, as did the district attorney who previously expressed concern about the number of arrests from 2012-2020.
"This administration and the city, and the police department has actually said that, we believe there are some challenges in our department, and so we haven't run away from it," Patterson-Howard said.
An earlier statement by the mayor said she supports good officers, won't tolerate unconstitutional policing and is committed to reform.
"We have driven and embraced reforms, expanded law enforcement and community partnerships, cooperated with the DOJ and will continue to do so," the statement said.
DOJ said the city is cooperating.
"We're going to take all necessary steps to improve our organization. We will continue to hold our police officers, command staff, myself in the highest regards of accountability," Police Commissioner David Gibson said.
CBS News New York reached out to the DOJ, police chief and police union for interviews, but did not hear back.
Activist "not surprised" by allegations against officers
Samuel Rivers, an activist who has criticized the Mount Vernon Police Department for years, accused officers of unlawfully arresting him in a 2015 lawsuit, which was settled before reaching trial.
The case was not cited in the DOJ report, but he said people all over town were familiar with the practices
"I'm not surprised," Rivers said. "It was a stain on the Mount Vernon Police Department, but I believe they're trying to move forward and move past that. Thank goodness for that."
Attorney Jarrett Adams says he has represented people who have been strip searched by the department.
"The policy and practice of the strip searches, through what we've learned in our litigation, were some of the most degrading practices I've seen," Adams said.
The public can learn more about the findings of the investigation at a virtual community hearing scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday.
