The United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Damian Williams, along with Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, has announced significant findings regarding the Mount Vernon Police Department (MVPD). According to an in-depth investigation by the Department of Justice, it has been determined that the MVPD routinely infringes upon the civil rights of its citizens. The findings accuse the MVPD of engaging in a pattern of excessive force, unlawful searches, and baseless arrests.
In a statement obtained by the Department of Justice, Williams expressed that there’s reasonable cause to believe MVPD is involved in conduct that blatantly violates the constitutional rights they are supposed to protect. The pervasive issues include excessive force, like the unnecessary escalation of minor encounters, and illegal strip and body cavity searches that continued up until at least 2023. Officials are said to have taken preliminary steps to start to address these problems, but comprehensive reforms are urgently needed.
Assistant Attorney General Clarke emphasized the need for sweeping reform to eradicate these unconstitutional practices. She said, "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." Clarke highlighted the necessity of dedication and effort not only from the leaders but also from all officers to build better community trust. She assured that federal resources stand ready to assist in fostering constitutional policing, as detailed by the Department of Justice.
The investigation began on December 3, 2021, and included interviews with various stakeholders including MVPD staff, Mount Vernon residents, and legal professionals. The DOJ also reviewed extensive documentation such as arrest reports, use-of-force instances, and internal affairs files. The investigation was carried out under 34 U.S.C § 12601, which prevents law enforcement from engaging in conduct that deprives people of constitutionally protected rights. This case forms part of a larger series of 12 investigations into law enforcement agencies under section 12601 since April 2021.
To address the investigation's findings, the Department of Justice plans to conduct outreach within the Mount Vernon community, seeking input on appropriate remedies. Community members are encouraged to submit recommendations via email or phone, as provided in the announcement. Furthermore, a virtual community meeting is scheduled next Monday, which promises to give the public more insight into the findings and subsequent actions. Interested individuals can register for the meeting through the provided link.
The handling of the case falls to 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, along with Trial Attorney Nicole Porter, are spearheading the ongoing legal procedures. Additional information regarding the case and the broader scope of the Justice Department's efforts in police reform can be found on their respective websites.
