By Dan Murphy
On Feb 18, the City of Mount Vernon provided an update on the status of its internal investigations around allegations of corruption and police misconduct within the Mount Vernon Police Department (MVPD). The investigations commenced in July 2020, when MVPD requested audio tapes from Officer Murshea Bovell that alleged wrongdoing in the Narcotics squad of the department. These tapes were sent to Westchester County District Attorney’s office in February 2019 and shared with local
media.
In August 2020, at the direction of Commissioner Glenn Scott, the MVPD transcribed the tapes and began its internal investigation. After careful review, the Mount Vernon Police Department has cleared Sgt. Sean Fegan of all charges of misconduct. The Department has suspended Officer John Campo, pending further investigation. The investigation into Detective Antonini is still ongoing.
As an extension of the administration’s efforts around police reform, William O. Wagstaff III esq., a civil rights attorney, will serve as a special prosecutor for further investigations into officers John Campo and Ryan Hughes. The administration is coordinating efforts with the Westchester District Attorney’s office to investigate the allegations against Detective Antonini.Since anuary 2020, the City of Mount Vernon has instituted numerous reforms to align with modern policing and a community-centered approach to public safety. Commissioner Glenn Scott disbanded the narcotics unit in March 2020 and has embraced novel approaches to discovery and criminal justice reform.
“It has been a difficult year,” said Mayor Patterson-Howard. “It’s been a year of challenge, learning, and growth and we are committed to working with the PBA, law enforcement partners, and the community to improve communication, transparency, and trust. We are excited about the work of the Police Reform commission and look forward to implementing our CCRB and enhancing the community’s understanding of procedural justice. We continue to take steps towards chartering a new future in policing for Mount Vernon.”
MVPD Commissioner Scott said, “Since day one, I’ve been committed to changing the culture and direction of this department. We have embraced reform, eliminated outdated policies, and instituted new procedures that emphasize transparency and accountability. The department has acknowledged the lack of trust expressed by the alleged victims of misconduct and has forwarded the investigation to the Westchester County DA so that it may conduct an independent review. Our department remains committed to doing good police work and protecting and serving this community.”
Westchester DA Mimi Rocah stated, “The integrity of our criminal justice system is critical to fairness and to public safety. I took office last month fully cognizant that the Westchester District Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners have a responsibility to the people of Mount Vernon to provide the accountability and transparency they deserve.
“Under direct supervision from me, an expanded and focused team of Assistant District Attorneys is working on public integrity matters. We are examining closely all complaints and allegations of misconduct regarding all officers recorded, mentioned or discussed in the Murashea Bovell recordings — as well as other evidence. The Mount Vernon Police Department is aware that our investigation is ongoing.
“We will work with all local police department internal affairs bureaus as necessary and appropriate. However, we want to be sure that Westchester residents understand that our investigations will always be conducted independently from any department where personnel are under investigation. A local police department’s conclusions about its own internal investigations cannot and do not represent the conclusions of the Westchester District Attorney’s Office.
“We strongly encourage anyone who has information about misconduct by any member of law enforcement to complete our on-line form at https://www.westchesterda.net/contact-us/complaint-form or contact us at complaints@westchesterda.net,” said Rocah.
In June 2020 Mt. Vernon Police Officer Murashea Bovell came forward with allegations of corruption and police brutality in the MVPD that included recorded conversations. At the time, then DA candidate Rocah claimed that then DA Anthony Scarpino “failed on all fronts from overseeing an effective investigation into these allegations.”
Last year, Bovell called out then DA Scarpino to root out police corruption in Mt. Vernon. “Here we are, we have officers engaged in criminal activity and nothing is being done,” said Bovell, who feared his life may be in jeopardy if he called for back up and didn’t get it.
