Crime & Safety
Cop Suspended As DA Probes 'Deliberately Mishandled Evidence'
After reviewing body-cam footage, New Rochelle PD asked the Westchester DA to drop charges in the drug case that led to the allegations.
![The allegations were brought to the department’s attention when the defendant in a drug case filed a civilian complaint with the department.](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/24856073/20240801/013945/styles/patch_image/public/toot205564___01133842515.jpg)
NEW ROCHELLE, NY — A New Rochelle Police Department lieutenant is suspended and the investigation into the purposeful mishandling of evidence has been turned over to the Westchester County District Attorney's Office.
The New Rochelle Police Department said that on July 16, officials received information alleging that a New Rochelle police lieutenant deliberately mishandled evidence during a drug investigation that led to an arrest.
The allegations were brought to the department’s attention when the defendant in the drug case filed a civilian complaint with the department.
Find out what's happening in New Rochellewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
After a preliminary investigation, the New Rochelle Police Department suspended the lieutenant and, on July 29, made an official request to the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office to review footage from the body camera worn by the lieutenant.
Police officials said the lieutenant will remain suspended pending the outcome of the District Attorney’s investigation, and a departmental internal investigation.
Find out what's happening in New Rochellewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The New Rochelle Police Department has requested that the District Attorney dismiss the charges against the defendant who was arrested in the drug case.
The New Rochelle Police Department has not released the name of the lieutenant at the center of the investigation.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.