No Federal Oversight for Police Depts including Mount Vernon

In May 2025, the Department of Justice (DOJ) dropped federal oversight of police departments, including Mount Vernon’s, leaving unaddressed, systemic issues like excessive force, evidence planting, illegal searches, and discriminatory practices, some flagged in a 2024 DOJ report. Sparked by former Westchester DA Mimi Rocah’s 2021 referral after a Gothamist exposé, this federal pullback leaves a stain of skepticism and distrust that will unfortunately undermine ethical policing, and by extension prosecutorial decisions in Westchester.

But for Westchester, it can be a golden opportunity to lead with self-governance and forward-thinking high-quality policing standards. Westchester government has advocated for less federal overreach and micromanagement of Washington's one-size fits all approach, and since this scathing DOJ report detailing civil rights violations has already been widely published, the opportunity has now presented itself for a tailor-made autonomous solution.

The DOJ’s exit highlights a gap that Westchester can fill by adopting ISO-9001, a global quality management standard for all police departments in Westchester. Unlike DCJS accreditation that concentrates on meeting state-specific training and operational standards, ISO-9001 ensures standardized evidence handling, transparent complaint resolution, and community engagement, turning Mount Vernon’s challenges into a model for ethical reform, and restoring its credibility post-DOJ report. DCJS certification was not designed to prevent, detect or stop any of the civil rights or ethical concerns highlighted in the DOJ’s 2024 report.

One of the most unique parts of adopting this Quality Management System (QMS), is the incorporation of Community Engagement by way of public feedback, such as community surveys or forums to meet ISO-9001 customer satisfaction requirement. While this system has been primarily aligned with private industries, it is the perfect tool to meet 21st century demands of ethical and professional standards in policing, with clear guidelines, transparency, and measurable outcomes.

Westchester would lead the way in the northeast, following the ambitious move of two southwestern states: Phoenix Police Department in Arizona has adopted ISO-9001 in a number of their divisions since 2003, and since 2011 Houston Police Department in Texas has also adopted ISO-9001 in two of their divisions. Both have received certification.

The Westchester DA as the top law enforcement agency within the county must lead this charge since (a) the DOJ’s 2024 report of Mount Vernon’s efforts to police itself was highly critical. And (b), since the Westchester DA’s office under Rocah, validated the DOJ’s 2024 findings, by vacating dozens of cases connected with the civil rights violations.

By championing ISO-9001, the DA can strengthen prosecutions with reliable data, boost the pilot program for ethical justice and rebuild trust and transparency in Westchester communities, especially Mount Vernon, that have been shaken by the DOJ’s 2024 findings.

To preserve the apolitical stance and nature of the criminal justice system, faced with opposing decisions of successive federal administrations, Westchester County must robustly address the deficiencies highlighted in the DOJ’s report from the Biden administration and sustain reform momentum following the oversight exit under the Trump administration.