New York police force made illegal arrests, strip searched nearly every person: DOJ
A recent report released by the Department of Justice revealed disturbing findings about the Mount Vernon Police Department in suburban New York. The report highlighted a pattern of civil rights violations, including illegal arrests, excessive force, and illegal strip and cavity searches.
One of the most egregious incidents mentioned in the report was the illegal strip search of two elderly women, ages 65 and 75, in 2020. The women were arrested on suspicion of purchasing drugs, but no evidence was found during a search of their car. Despite this, the women were taken into custody and subjected to a humiliating strip search at the police station.
The report also identified concerns with how the police department conducted vehicle stops, collected evidence, and engaged in discriminatory policing practices. Officers were found to have used excessive force, including unnecessary escalation of minor encounters, overuse of tasers and closed-fist strikes, particularly against individuals who were already restrained or on the ground.
Furthermore, the investigation revealed that Mount Vernon police officers made arrests without probable cause and engaged in unconstitutional practices such as detaining and interrogating individuals without formal arrest. People were arrested for exercising their right to freedom of speech, and illegal strip and cavity searches continued until at least 2023.
The report also highlighted financial mismanagement within the police department, which exacerbated the human rights violations caused by illegal policies and lack of training. Low salaries made it difficult to attract and retain quality officers, leading to diminished supply budgets and further compromising the department’s ability to uphold constitutional rights.
Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard, a Democrat, expressed support for the findings of the investigation and pledged to work with the Justice Department to address the civil rights violations. Three police officers and two civilian employees were fired following a separate investigation in 2021, but details about the circumstances of their termination were not provided.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division emphasized the importance of addressing the unlawful conduct within the Mount Vernon Police Department. She called for the implementation of measures to end unconstitutional practices and ensure that police reform is a priority.
The investigation into the Mount Vernon Police Department is one of 12 probes opened by the DOJ into local policing agencies in the past three years. The city is already taking steps to improve its policing practices, and the report offered recommendations to prevent further civil rights violations in the future.
