The Mount Vernon Police Department has faced significant scrutiny over the past decade due to widespread allegations of misconduct. A U.S. Department of Justice report revealed that the department routinely violated civil rights through practices such as illegal arrests and unwarranted strip and cavity searches. The report highlighted that until at least September 2022, it was standard practice to strip search nearly every arrestee, with incidents continuing through 2023. Financial mismanagement within the department was also noted, affecting the quality of officers and training. Recommendations were provided to address these issues, alongside ongoing efforts by city authorities to implement reforms. Despite these efforts, the department has faced multiple lawsuits and public outcry over its practices.
.
