United States Department of Justice Investigates the Yonkers Police Department
YONKERS, NY — October 5, 2016 — On Tuesday, September 20, 2016 at 6:00pm a meeting of the Rules Committee of the Yonkers City Council commenced. Among the items introduced by the administration to the committee, was a resolution approving an agreement between the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and the City of Yonkers.
In 2007, the DOJ launched an investigation on the City Of Yonkers, derived from allegations of discriminatory policing and patterned practices of excessive force by the Yonkers Police Department (YPD). In 2009, after extensive review of department documents and interviews with various parties, the DOJ provided “detailed technical assistance” regarding policies and practices of the YPD with regard to “use of force, citizen complaints, investigations, supervisory oversight, and training” which resulted in “substantial revisions” of the agency’s policies and procedures. Some of the changes implemented included but were not limited to: (1) name tags for officers, (2) early warning systems, (3) revisions to the “use of force” reporting requirements, (4) community policing initiatives and (5) opportunities for enhanced training.
The City Of Yonkers YPD has denied that it has engaged in any pattern or practice of excessive force or engaged in discriminatory policing (the resolution does not include the findings of the DOJ with regard to the pattern or practice of excessive force).
The resolution does state that entry of the agreement is in the “interest of the public” and that the agreement does not “constitute any admission of wrongdoing or fault by the City or the YPD”.
Read more: http://www.yonkerstribune.com/2016/10/the-united-states-department-of-justice-investigates-the-yonkers-police-department-by-christopher-johnson