Blacks in Law Enforcement of America | A Notion Organization ef Black Lave Enforcement Proesionals | : wewoncomes | 495 Taronn Re #1958 White Plaine, Naw York 10607 Aespng ow ep once August 25, 2017 | ‘To Whom It May Concem: ‘This letter is a follow up from email and letter sent on August 7, 2016. Attached is addition information for the complaint below. Please accept this formal complaint of violation of New York Consolidated Laws, Election Law -ELN § 17-110. Misdemeanors concerning Police Commissioners or officers or members of any police force against Mount Vemon Police Department, Deputy Police Commissioner Joseph Spiezio, and Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas. | | ‘The Mount Vemon Police Department, Deputy Police Commissioner Joseph Spiczio and the ‘Thomas Administration systematically punished Detective Jones for her affiliation, association with our organization and our affiliation with the Westchester Independence Party ‘Thank you for your time in this matter. Sincerely, Demon K. once Damon K. Jones ‘New York Representative Blacks in Law Enforcement of America 914-525-5288, Mander of he Grand Col of urineCITY COUNCIL (ONE ROOSEVELT SQUARE, ROOM 104 MOUNT VERNON, NY 10550 (14) 865-2552 FAX (914) 658-6044 woww.emvmy.com ANDRE WALLACE ‘CiTY COUNCILMAN CHAIR, STANDING COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION AND PUBLIC WORKS CO-CHAIR, STANDING COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RESOURCES August 16, 2017 l Mayor Richard Thomas One Roosevelt Square Mount Vernon, New York 10550 ud Re: Return to work settlement Dear Mayor Thomas: 1am inquiring about the return to work settlement which was agreed to between Detective Jones and the tity of Mount Vernon on June 28, 2017 and August 2, 2017. It has been brought to my attention that you have refused to sign the settlement agreement that will reinstate Detective Jones. Our police department is in desperate need of seasoned detectives and it is imperative that we have experienced and decorated officers like Detective Jones working to increase public safety in our city ‘The City Council receives countless complaints from employees and citizens of alleged harassment by your office and alleged Deputy Police Commissioner Spiezio. Despite the retaliation and intimidation Detective Jones has experienced from you and the alleged deputy police commissioner, she has agreed in good faith to your demands to drop all claims or possible lawsuits against you, alleged Deputy Commissioner Spiezio, and the City of Mount Vernon. Yet, you refuse to sign the paperwork necessary for her to return to work. Using th executive powers of the office of mayor to launch personal attacks against a city employee and her husband petulant, irresponsible, and damaging, These kinds of behaviors have no place in our city. 1 urge you to cease immediately. As Mayor, you have also made false accusations to the public stating the City Council and Comptroller refuse to fund additional officers and have cut funds for the position of police commissioner. Moreover, you have stated that you could not find a qualified person to fill the position despite the fact that the Council and Comptroller have agreed to increase the salary line leading to your administration receiving over eighty (80) resumes for the position. Your deception must stop.Mayor Thomas Re: Detective Jones The city of Mount Vernon does not have a police commissioner because you have not taken the initiative to fill the post. A selection committee was established to set the groundwork to hire a police commissioner. ‘The goal ‘was to refer the best candidates to you for your decision. But the committee stopped meeting after your buman resources commissioner resigned. Have you not decided to interview any of the candidates recommended by the committee? Since August 12, there has been a shooting, a stabbing, and a burglary that has left an 86-year old man fighting for his life- all in less than a week. If that is not enough to reinstate a detective to help solve these crimes and to appoint a qualified police commissioner to lead the force in providing public safety and community policing efforts in our city. I don’t know what is. 1 must add that I am disheartened by the relentless unprofessional behavior displayed by you and alleged Deputy Police Commissioner Joseph Spiezio regarding this and other matters as well as your inability 10 be truthful. Let me remind you of the private meeting you requested me to attend with you and alleged Joseph Spiezio on April 18", In our agreement to move the city forward, one of your promises was to reinstate Detective Jones. In a follow-up telephone call last month, you assured me you would execute all paperwork to. reinstate Detective Jones. ‘The people of Mount Vernon believed they were voting for change...positive change. They thought they were voting to move the city forward. Instead, the city is regressing. Will your legacy be that of a mayor who caused the city to decline more rapidly than it had been prior to him taking office? Will it be that you used your office to intimidate those who have a different opinion than you? Neither you nor Joseph Spiezio have kept your word on anything we've discussed during our meeting. Please inform me in writing when Detective Jones will retum to work. | look forward to your quick and immediate response. Thank you. Andre Wallace Couneilman, ce: City Council Police Department District Attorney Attomey General Justice DepartmentCITY COUNCIL (ONE ROOSEVELT SQUARE, ROOM 104 MOUNT VERNON, NY 10550 (94) 665.2352 - FAX (#14) 668-8044 ‘www emmwny.com ANDRE WALLACE ‘CITY COUNCILMAN ‘CHAIR, STANDING COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION AND PUBLIC WORKS. CO-CHAIR, STANDING COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RESOURCES: August 18, 2017 Mayor Richard Thomas, One Roosevelt Square Mount Vernon, New York 10550 Re: Blood on your hands Dear Mayor Thomas: 1 was saddened to hear about another tragic and senseless murder in our beloved city over the weekend. On Saturday, August 12, 2017, Brandon aka "Danza" Preston was gunned down on Columbus Avenue in what is now the Sth murder this year, ‘This is another senseless act of violence, which could have possibly been prevented through proper leadership in the police department. Unfortunately for the people of Mount Vernon, police leadership is lacking and it is all occurring under your supervision, Needless to say, | am disappointed, disheartened, and distressed by the information that continues to be uncovered in my investigation of the alleged murderer walking the streets of our city. Indeed, we can do a better job of protecting and serving the people of our community. I sent a letter to you on August 16, 2017 inquiring about the return to work settlement between the city of Mount Vernon and Detective Montika Jones but I have not received a response from your office. This pattern and practice of ignoring issues brought to you by the City Council has been ongoing since you took over in January 2016. As stated in my letter, “our police department is in desperate need of seasoned detectives and it is imperative that we have experienced and decorated officers like Detective Jones back at work to increase publie safety in our city”. Detective Jones must be reinstated to inctease public safety. Put the people of Mount Vernon first! Lam truly disturbed to uncover that you and alleged Deputy Police Commissioner Joseph Spiezio’s personal attack and vendetta against Detective Jones in an attempt to silence her husband Damon K. Jones may have caused serious harm to our community. Your reckless use of the office of mayor could have potentially contributed to last weekend's shooting death. My investigation of the court records confirms the shooter had a warrant for his arrest, which was issued to Detective Jones during her service. Why weren't her case files transferred to another detective for follow up? Her attempt to make an arrest of the alleged suspect wasthwarted and her investigation was undermined because your decision to suspend her sidetracked the process. The foolish, malicious behavior perpetrated by you and alleged Deputy Police Commissioner Joseph Spiezio allowed a dangerous suspect to walk freely throughout our community. This is truly irresponsible behavior. Put the people of Mount Vernon first! Your petulant and irresponsible behavior is absolutely unacceptable. Your decisions continue to place our citizens in harm's way leaving our community in fear and unrest. Put the people before pettiness... put the people before self..put the people before politics. Put the people of Mount Vernon FIRST! | look forward to your reply as I forward these concems to the Board of Ethics for a full investigation including abuse of power. Sincerely dre Wallace Councilman City Council Board of Ethics Police Department District Attorney Attomey General Justice Department