NYC Suburban Police Force Under Investigation for Alleged Strip Searches
Mount Vernon, New York (AP) – A recent U.S. Department of Justice report has uncovered troubling allegations of civil rights violations within a suburban New York police department. The report reveals a pattern and practice of police misconduct in Mount Vernon, just north of New York City. This investigation is one of 12 that the DOJ has launched into local policing agencies since 2021, in response to incidents like the killings of George Floyd in Minneapolis and Breonna Taylor in Kentucky.
Illegal Arrests and Strip Searches
The key findings of the report shed light on numerous violations, including illegal arrests and unnecessary strip and cavity searches conducted by the Mount Vernon Police Department. The report highlighted an incident in 2020 where two elderly women, aged 65 and 75, were subjected to a humiliating fully nude strip search after being falsely accused of buying drugs. This invasive search was just one example of the department’s systemic failures.
Unconstitutional Practices
According to the report, the Mount Vernon police force engaged in a range of unconstitutional practices, such as strip-searching every person they arrested until at least the fall of 2022. The report also revealed cases where individuals were detained and interrogated without formal arrests, and arrested for exercising their right to free speech by criticizing officers verbally.
Recommendations for Change
In response to these damning revelations, the report offered a series of recommendations aimed at addressing the systemic issues within the department. These recommendations include implementing measures to prevent unconstitutional strip and body cavity searches from occurring in the future. Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard has pledged to work with the DOJ to address the findings and ensure accountability within the police force.
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Mayor Patterson-Howard emphasized the city’s commitment to upholding the law while supporting the good officers within the force. The statement acknowledged the dismissal of three police officers and two civilian employees following an investigation in 2021, signaling a zero-tolerance approach towards unconstitutional policing practices.
