The United States Department of Justice has released findings from an investigation into the Mount Vernon Police Department (MVPD), revealing a pattern of civil rights violations. The announcement was made by Damian Williams, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Kristen Clarke, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division.
The investigation concluded that MVPD engaged in practices that violated constitutional rights, including excessive use of force, unlawful strip searches, and arrests without probable cause. Concerns were also raised about vehicle stop practices and discriminatory policing in predominantly Black neighborhoods.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams stated: “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." He noted systemic deficiencies leading to these issues but acknowledged recent efforts by Mount Vernon officials towards constitutional policing.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke emphasized the need for comprehensive reforms: “Our investigation into the Mount Vernon Police Department reveals a pattern and practice of unlawful conduct that can and must be addressed."
The DOJ's investigation began on December 3, 2021, involving interviews with various stakeholders and reviews of MVPD documents. The department will seek community input on remedies through outreach efforts.
This is one among several investigations under Section 12601 since April 2021, targeting police departments across the country. The Southern District of New York has conducted four such investigations since 1994.
A virtual community meeting is scheduled for December 16, 2024, to discuss these findings further.