NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The City of New Rochelle’s African American Advisory Committee today denounced the conduct of New Rochelle Police Detective Michael Vaccaro, a white, off-duty police officer, for what it called a “brutal assault” on Malik Fogg, an African-American man.
The African American Advisory Committee is the first organization associated with the City of New Rochelle to address Vaccaro’s actions since Talk of the Sound made cell phone video public following a request for public records.
The City of New Rochelle established the African-American Advisory Committee in November 2020, 6 months after the murder of George Floyd and 5 months after the officer-involved shooting death of Kamal Flowers by PO Alec McKenna. The AAAC was created to, among other things, “recommend actions, practices, and policies to address the concerns, needs, and interests of the Black community of New Rochelle” and “facilitate constructive two-way dialogue between New Rochelle’s Black community and decision-makers in local government.”
The majority of members have associations with key community groups including the NAACP-New Rochelle Branch, the New Rochelle Municipal Housing Authority, the Remington Boys & Girls Club, NewROAR, and the Black Clergy of New Rochelle.
The African American Advisory Committee has requested a meeting with New Rochelle PBA President Christopher Greco.
The AAAC described Vaccaro’s conduct as “extreme and unprofessional behavior” in using what it called “excessive physical force” for “repeatedly punched the victim” and “forcefully pushed Fogg’s head into the ground.”
In response to Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah’s decision to charge white, off-duty New Rochelle Police Detective Michael Vaccaro with attempted assault in the 3rd degree of African American Malik Fogg in the City of New Rochelle on February 15, 2021, and after the release of such videos which clearly identifies the brutal assault upon the victim, the African American Advisory Committee denounces the extreme and unprofessional behavior of Detective Michael Vaccaro.
On February 15, 2021, Detective Vaccaro used excessive physical force on Malik Fogg, an African American male, and repeatedly punched the victim in the face while inserting himself in the arrest process when uniformed New Rochelle Police Officers had the situation under control and then forcefully pushed Fogg’s head into the ground.
AAAC is sending a clear message that excessive force by any New Rochelle Police Officer will not be tolerated in our diverse and multicultural community. The AAAC will be closely monitoring the situation and will weigh in on the outcome.
Angela Davis-Farrish, Chairperson
Mark McLean, Vice Chairperson
Nate Adams
Dale Burnett
Dierdra Clark
Kwamaine Dixon
Leslie Gaskin
Linda Tarrant-Reid
Out Talk of the Sound Scorecard has been updated to reflect the issuance of this statement.
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