Head of New Rochelle Police Special Investigations Unit Suspended for Tampering with Evidence (Drugs)
NEW ROCHELLE, NY (August 1, 2024) — It would be difficult to overstate the implications of the allegations that Lieutenant Sean Kane, the head of the Special Investigations Unit of the New Rochelle Police Department, tampered with evidence. The case that precipitated the internal police investigation had already been tossed out and the officer involved suspended and referred to the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office for investigation. It will get worse before it gets better.
- All convictions where he played a role may be tossed out as has already happened with the immediate case that triggered an internal NRPD investigation.
- There will be an even greater push to give disciplinary authority outside the chain of command to the Civilian Complaint Review Board.
- Long-standing complaints against the NRPD, especially in the Black community, will appear to be validated (and for many they would strike the word “appear” from that sentence).
- Police Commissioner Robert Gazzola will be under intense pressure to resign which may lead to his early retirement.
- It will likely be an ongoing investigation as the New York State Attorney General’s Office issues its much anticipated report on the officer-involved shooting of Jerrell Garris which is likely to exonerate the officers and paint Garris in a negative light.
I learned off all this yesterday. I sent inquiries to the NRPD and WCDA but did not hear back until today so held off running a story given the incendiary nature of the allegations.
The NRPD issued a statement at 1:10 pm on August 1, 2024. The WCDA is sending me a statement soon and the story linked below will be updated with the statement.
SEE: Senior New Rochelle Police Officer Suspended; Investigation by DA for Evidence Tampering (Drugs)
