Tag:

Police Accountability

Norwalk, CT
Police & Fire
Norwalk Police Officer Retires After Arrest For Road Rage, Violating Department Rules Norwalk Police Officer Retires After Arrest For Road Rage, Violating Department Rules
Norwalk Police Officer Retires After Arrest For Road Rage, Violating Department Rules A Fairfield County police officer who was arrested for allegedly throwing objects at a car and attempting to run it off the roadway during a road rage incident has retired from the department. Related: Road Rage: Norwalk Police Officer Arrested In Connection To Incident Involving Woman Norwalk Police Officer David Vetare, age 54, was charged on Saturday, March 9, in Trumbull around noon on Route 25 South near Exit 6, according to the Connecticut State Police. Norwalk Police Chief James Walsh said on Wednesday, July 3, that Vetare was charged with reckless driving, operating a motor …

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by Kathy Reakes
Yorktown, NY
News
Yorktown Police Department To Be Outfitted In Body Cams Yorktown Police Department To Be Outfitted In Body Cams
Yorktown Police Department To Be Outfitted In Body Cams A Northern Westchester town has authorized outfitting its police department with body-worn cameras. In an announcement on Wednesday, June 5, the Yorktown Town Board said it has approved the purchase of body cameras for the Yorktown Police Department as part of an over $478,000 contract with Axon Enterprises.  Officers are expected to begin wearing the cameras during the summer.  Additionally, the five-year contract also includes the purchase of cloud storage and taser-like devices for the department, officials said.  The purchases follow a report on the town's police depart…

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by Ben Crnic
Drexel Hill-Upper Darby, PA
News
Charges Dismissed Against PPD Officer Mark Dial; DA To Appeal Charges Dismissed Against PPD Officer Mark Dial; DA To Appeal
Charges Dismissed Against PPD Officer Mark Dial; DA To Appeal The District Attorney's Office will file an appeal after a Philadelphia municipal judge dismissed the charges against Officer Mark Dial for the killing of 27-year-old Eddie Irizarry during a traffic stop last month.  DA Larry Krasner said his office will file with the Court of Common Pleas to have all charges against Dial — including murder — reinstated.  Municipal Court Judge Wendy L. Pew dismissed the charges after agreeing with Dial's defense team on Tuesday that the PPD officer acted in self-defense when he shot Irizarry dead in Kensington on Aug. 14, 6abc reported.  "My thoughts are …

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by Mac Bullock
Elizabeth, NJ
Police & Fire
Middle Finger Traffic Stop: Viral Video Sparks Investigation In North Jersey Town Middle Finger Traffic Stop: Viral Video Sparks Investigation In North Jersey Town
Middle Finger Traffic Stop: Viral Video Sparks Investigation In North Jersey Town It's become the middle finger seen around the world. A traffic stop on Westfield is under investigation after a man said he was pulled over after flipping off a police officer. The traffic stop was recorded on Sunday, Aug. 6 and shared on YouTube where it has generated more than 370,000 views. In the video, posted by LackLuster, a channel dedicated to police accountability, Officer Ayad Taha claims the driver, identified as "Nathan", was going 48 mph in a 35 mph zone, though this is disputed by Nathan's GPS. Nathan refuses to answer any of the officer's questions, while dashcam footage…

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by Sam Barron
Mount Vernon, NY
News
Mount Vernon Sergeant Indicted After Tasing Handcuffed Victim 7 Times in 2 Minutes: Feds Mount Vernon Sergeant Indicted After Tasing Handcuffed Victim 7 Times in 2 Minutes: Feds
Mount Vernon Sergeant Indicted After Tasing Handcuffed Victim 7 Times in 2 Minutes: Feds A Westchester Sergeant faces federal charges after tasing a handcuffed victim seven times in the span of two minutes and violating their rights in the process, officials said.  Brooklyn resident Mario Stewart, age 44, a Sergeant with the Mount Vernon Police Department, has been indicted on federal charges after allegedly using excessive force against a handcuffed individual in a March 2019 incident, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Thursday, July 20.  According to federal officials, at the time of the incident, Stewart had been …

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by Ben Crnic
New Rochelle, NY
News
Fatal New Rochelle Shooting: Detective's Actions Were 'Necessary,' APA Of Westchester Says Fatal New Rochelle Shooting: Detective's Actions Were 'Necessary,' APA Of Westchester Says
Fatal New Rochelle Shooting: Detective's Actions Were 'Necessary,' APA Of Westchester Says As the New York Attorney General’s Office investigates a fatal police-involved shooting in Westchester, a law enforcement organization is saying that the choice to fire a shot likely saved officers' lives.  In a statement issued on Wednesday night, July 12, Detective Keith Olson, President of the Affiliated Police Associations of Westchester, said that the police shooting of New Rochelle resident Jerrel Garris on Monday, July 3, was "necessary" in potentially saving the lives of New Rochelle officers involved in the incident. Earlier Report - New Update: Man Shot By Cop…

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by Ben Crnic
Paterson, NJ
News
Paterson Non-Violence Activist Shot Dead In Police Standoff Was Clearly In Crisis: Advocates Paterson Non-Violence Activist Shot Dead In Police Standoff Was Clearly In Crisis: Advocates
Paterson Non-Violence Activist Shot Dead In Police Standoff Was Clearly In Crisis: Advocates The shooting death of a Paterson non-violence activist following a five-hour barricaded standoff with city police has a pained, shaken and angry community demanding answers. Najee Seabrooks was pronounced dead at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson shortly after the 12:30 p.m. shooting at an apartment near the corner of Mill and Edison streets on Friday, March 3, state Attorney General Matthew Platkin confirmed. Although initial details remained sketchy, all agreed that Seabrooks was in a mental health crisis. Officers initially responded to a report of an emotionally distu…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Clifton Park, NY
News
Charges Against BLM Leader Who Interrupted Council Meeting In Region Spark ‘Disbelief, Outrage' Charges Against BLM Leader Who Interrupted Council Meeting In Region Spark ‘Disbelief, Outrage'
Charges Against BLM Leader Who Interrupted Council Meeting In Region Spark ‘Disbelief, Outrage' City leaders in the region expressed “disbelief and outrage” over the decision to file a criminal complaint against a prominent Black Lives Matter (BLM) leader for interrupting a city council meeting. Saratoga Springs Public Safety Commissioner James Montagnino filed the complaint with the city’s police department asking for a summons to be issued to Chandler Hickenbottom, a leader of Saratoga Black Lives Matter. The complaint accuses Hickenbottom of disorderly conduct for disrupting a council meeting that was held on Tuesday, Feb. 7, according to a city statement. Saratoga Springs Mayor…

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by Michael Mashburn
Worcester, MA
Police & Fire
Feds Open Investigation Into Worcester Police Potential Bias, Use Of Force Feds Open Investigation Into Worcester Police Potential Bias, Use Of Force
Feds Open Investigation Into Worcester Police Potential Bias, Use Of Force The Department of Justice has opened a civil investigation into the Worcester Police Department to determine if the agency uses excessive force or engages in racial or gender bias.  The US Attorney's Office didn't say what sparked the investigation but said the probe would be comprehensive. Analysts will scrutinize Worcester's training, policies, procedures, evidence handling, interactions with the public, accountability systems, how superiors handle complaints, and disciplinary procedures.  "The purpose of this civil investigation is to determine – through objective and thorough …

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by Josh Lanier
Hackensack, NJ
News
New Hackensack Police Director Hits Ground Running New Hackensack Police Director Hits Ground Running
New Hackensack Police Director Hits Ground Running A highly-respected law enforcement veteran has become Hackensack's new police director. Raymond Guidetti, who retired as a lieutenant colonel after a highly distinguished career with the New Jersey State Police, began working last week, multiple department and city sources confirmed Tuesday. "We've been getting memos from him already on things like internal policies and expectations," one department member said. Guidetti, 54, of Paramus, was officially appointed to the position for three years at Monday night's Mayor and Council meeting, according to city spokesman Nick Bond. “I am very p…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Tarrytown-SleepyHollow, NY
News
Feds Launch Investigation Into Westchester Police Department Feds Launch Investigation Into Westchester Police Department
Feds Launch Investigation Into Westchester Police Department Federal investigators have launched a probe into a Hudson Valley police department to determine whether or not officers engaged in a pattern of discriminatory policing. US Attorney Damian Williams announced that in Westchester, the Justice Department has opened a pattern or practice investigation into the Mount Vernon Police Department. According to Williams, the investigation will assess the department’s use of force, strip and body cavity searches, and how it handles evidence. The investigation will include a comprehensive review of Mount Vernon Police Department’s systems of accountabil…

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by Zak Failla
Port Chester, NY
News
Federal Judge Joins Review Of Fatal Officer-Involved Shootings In Westchester Federal Judge Joins Review Of Fatal Officer-Involved Shootings In Westchester
Federal Judge Joins Review Of Fatal Officer-Involved Shootings In Westchester A former federal prosecutor in New York is being called in to assist the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office in reopening the investigation into a pair of police-involved shootings that left a 20-year-old Pace University student from Massachusetts and former US Marine dead. Danroy “DJ” Henry, an Easton, Massachusetts man who was a junior at Pace was shot to death by police officers in Pleasantville in October 2010 while he was in a moving vehicle. Related story - Thousands Demand Justice 10 Years After College Athlete Shot, Killed By Cop In Westchester Thirteen months later, Ken…

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by Zak Failla
Springfield, MA
News
Ex-Cop Derek Chauvin Found Guilty On All Counts At George Floyd Murder Trial Ex-Cop Derek Chauvin Found Guilty On All Counts At George Floyd Murder Trial
Ex-Cop Derek Chauvin Found Guilty On All Counts At George Floyd Murder Trial The panel of seven women and five male jurors reached a verdict in the murder trial for Derek Chauvin, who was found guilty on all counts of killing George Floyd in Minneapolis. After being sequestered on Monday afternoon, April 19 following closing arguments from both sides, the jury announced the guilty verdict of Chauvin late in the afternoon on Tuesday, April 20 to a resounding cheer from crowds that gathered outside the courtroom. The verdict arrived after approximately 10 hours of deliberations over the two days with it being released at approximately 5:05 p.m. on Tuesday. Specifica…

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by Zak Failla
Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ
Police & Fire
Morristown Police Chief, Officers Clash Over Retaliation Allegations Morristown Police Chief, Officers Clash Over Retaliation Allegations
Morristown Police Chief, Officers Clash Over Retaliation Allegations A Morris County police benevolence association is accusing township administrators of retaliating against the department after officers admitted to writing fewer tickets during the COVID-19 pandemic. The department chief, however, said the allegations are false and scolded the officers for "spreading false information on social media." Lenient enforcement efforts and lack of non-emergency ticketing by Morristown police struck a nerve with township officials, PBA Local 43 said on Facebook Sunday. "As of recent, our members have been extremely hesitant to write tickets outside of mandatory, f…

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by Cecilia Levine
Lakewood, NJ
Police & Fire
POSTPONED: Ocean Prosecutor's Virtual Town Hall On Community Policing Is Next Wednesday POSTPONED: Ocean Prosecutor's Virtual Town Hall On Community Policing Is Next Wednesday
Postponed: Ocean Prosecutor's Virtual Town Hall On Community Policing Is Next Wednesday Good news. If you forgot about Wednesday night's Virtual Town Hall hosted by Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer, there is a new chance to view it live, next week. The live-streamed broadcast was postponed until 6 p.m. next Wednesday, July 29. Billhimer.is expected to be joined by area police chiefs, pastors and state and county law enforcement officials, Billhimer said, noting that the original July 22 session was postponed  "due to circumstances beyond our control." Advance questions for the public officials listed below can still be submitted to www.ocponj.go…

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by Jon Craig
Lakewood, NJ
Police & Fire
Moving Forward: Ocean Prosecutor Hosts Virtual Town Hall On Community Policing Moving Forward: Ocean Prosecutor Hosts Virtual Town Hall On Community Policing
Moving Forward: Ocean Prosecutor Hosts Virtual Town Hall On Community Policing A Jersey Shore prosecutor plans a "virtual town hall" online meeting to discuss tensions between police and the community and the concept of "community policing." The quarterly public meetings were encouraged by state Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, Titled “Moving Forward -- A Conversation on Law Enforcement and Community Policing,” the first meeting in Ocean County will be livestreamed at 6 p.m. on July 22, county Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said in a statement.  Grewal has asked all 21 County Prosecutors of New Jersey to organize quarterly public events to di…

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by Jon Craig
Torrington, CT
Politics
Lamont Order Bans Chokeholds, Tells CT State Police To Stop Acquiring Surplus US Military Gear Lamont Order Bans Chokeholds, Tells CT State Police To Stop Acquiring Surplus US Military Gear
Lamont Order Bans Chokeholds, Tells CT State Police To Stop Acquiring Surplus US Military Gear Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont signed a new executive order that includes sweeping police reform statewide. On Monday, June 15, Lamont announced that he was signing an executive order “on police use of force and accountability,” in the wake of the death of George Floyd in Minnesota. The order includes the ban of chokeholds, police departments have been barred from acquiring surplus military gear from the federal government, and each state police troop will now be required to have a dedicated community liaison. “The Constitution of the State of Connecticut guarantees every person equal protect…

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by Zak Failla
Torrington, CT
Politics
Lamont Calls For Ban Of Police Chokeholds In Connecticut Lamont Calls For Ban Of Police Chokeholds In Connecticut
Lamont Calls For Ban Of Police Chokeholds In Connecticut In the wake of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis in the hands of police choking him, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont is calling for lawmakers to ban the use of chokeholds by law enforcement statewide. This week, Lamont’s office called for the ban on chokeholds, which would come during a special session of the state legislature. “What should the consequences be for them?” Lamont said during a press conference urging officials to look into disciplining officers involved in brutality complaints. “Use of force, what we outlaw so we can add some clarity to that,” Lamont added. “I think we’v…

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by Zak Failla
Hackensack, NJ
Police & Fire
NJ County Prosecutors: Citizens Can Trust They'll Be Treated Fairly, Justly By Police NJ County Prosecutors: Citizens Can Trust They'll Be Treated Fairly, Justly By Police
NJ County Prosecutors: Citizens Can Trust They'll Be Treated Fairly, Justly By Police A public letter from New Jersey's 21 county prosecutors promises that members of law enforcement in the state will treat citizens "fairly and justly" -- and that those who don't will be held accountable. The letter from the County Prosecutors Association of New Jersey, released Saturday morning, comes in the wake of George Floyd's death at the hands of police in Minneapolis and an investigation of the officers by local and federal authorities there. County prosecutors are the chief law enforcers in New Jersey under the direction of Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal. Here is the CPANJ …

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by Jerry DeMarco
Kingston, NY
News
State Provides Funds To Ulster County Sheriff’s Office For Police Body Cameras State Provides Funds To Ulster County Sheriff’s Office For Police Body Cameras
State Provides Funds To Ulster County Sheriff’s Office For Police Body Cameras New York Attorney General Letitia James has announced funding for the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office to invest in body-worn cameras. The funding was presented in a check for $69,750 to the department on Friday, Oct. 18 as part of James’ Capture an Account of a Material Situation (CAMS) program. The department was able to purchase a total of 93 body-worn cameras for officer use. The Ulster County Sheriff’s Office is one of just 13 law enforcement agencies statewide that will receive a combined total of more than $1 million to purchase 891 body-worn cameras and 321 body-worn camera systems th…

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by Valerie Musson
DV Plus - Fairfield, CT
Politics
Follow The Laws: New Minimum Wage, Gun Rules, Smoking Limits, Sex Abuse Statutes Follow The Laws: New Minimum Wage, Gun Rules, Smoking Limits, Sex Abuse Statutes
Follow The Laws: New Minimum Wage, Gun Rules, Smoking Limits, Sex Abuse Statutes New sales taxes, minimum wage, safe gun storage rules and a 21-year-old minimum age to purchase tobacco and vaping products became law on Tuesday, Oct. 1. Prepared meals from restaurants, caterers and grocery stores are now taxed at 7.35 percent -- up from 6.35 percent. The 1 percent surcharge applies to supermarket catering services; sandwiches, grinders, coffee or tea sold for takeout; and food sold at a supermarket snack bar or food court. The Department of Revenue Services recently issued a memo that clarified the higher tax only applies to prepared foods already taxed at grocery stores,…

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by Jon Craig