New Rochelle Civilian Complaint Review Board: Full Investigation

Robert Cox

28 May 2026 — 3 min read

The Turning Point: June 3, 2020

Talk of the Sound and Words in Edgewise have published a comprehensive research report on the New Rochelle Civilian Complaint Review Board — a board established by city ordinance in October 2024, seated in July 2025, and as of May 17, 2026, had never held a single meeting. As of June 13, 2026, it still has not met. Its Chairperson resigned. Its District 4 seat is vacant. No Chairperson has been named for 2026-27.

The report documents the board’s failure to become operational, the structural issues that have prevented it from functioning, and the broader context of police accountability in New Rochelle since the death of Kamal Flowers in June 2020. Media inquiries have been sent to all relevant officials and FOIL requests submitted to city, county, and state agencies. Responses are being incorporated into updates as received.

This is a living document being actively updated as FOIL responses are received, officials respond to media inquiries, and additional information becomes available.

Updated May 20, 2026: §1, 5, 6, 8, 11, 12, and 13 updated to reflect findings from the first wave of FOIL productions from the City of New Rochelle.

Updated May 21, 2026: §5, 11, 12, 13, and 14 updated to reflect Kane disciplinary records, OSC FOIL findings, DA adverse credibility list correspondence, and new media inquiries and FOIL requests submitted May 20-21.

Updated May 28, 2026: All 14 sections updated. Key new findings: Harper arrest body cam footage; Brady list confirmed never to have existed; Rocah v. Costa appeal pending; NACOLE structural mismatch documented.

Updated June 13, 2026: All 14 sections updated. Key new findings since May 28:

Chairperson Fapohunda Resigned

Natasha Fapohunda resigned on May 18, 2026 — the day after Talk of the Sound published its investigation and the day after she was asked whether she had considered resigning. She never held a single meeting, never answered any of the 17 questions Talk of the Sound sent her, and never issued either required semi-annual report. She served on all three successive New Rochelle police oversight bodies — the only person to do so. Council Member Osinloye selected Michael Cammer as her replacement. The City Council did not act on June 9, entering executive session after members referenced a possible co-chair arrangement not provided for in the city code. The matter was deferred to June 16, 2026. As of June 13, the District 4 seat and Chairperson position remain vacant.

Westchester DA FOIL — Contradiction Documented

Talk of the Sound filed five FOIL requests with the Westchester County DA’s office. The FOIL office responded June 9 stating no responsive records exist for Kane’s, McKenna’s, and Vaccaro’s Brady/Giglio status. The same office then produced CO-2 disciplinary disclosure documents for all three officers — documents that are by definition Brady/Giglio records. Talk of the Sound intends to appeal all three no-records determinations. Four additional FOILs filed June 13.

CO-2 Dates — Timeline Implications

The McKenna CO-2 is dated September 7, 2023 — three years after the November 2020 grand jury that no-billed McKenna for the shooting death of Kamal Flowers. The Kane CO-2 is dated October 10, 2023 — more than a year before the December 2024 grand jury that no-billed Kane despite body camera footage showing him placing drugs under a wheel well.

Vaccaro Decertified — Kane Still in Law Enforcement

Vaccaro was permanently decertified by DCJS effective September 1, 2023 — he can no longer serve as a police officer anywhere in New York State. Kane, whose misconduct included planting drugs on a civilian captured on body camera, was demoted, resigned, and was hired by the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office.

Scarpino Contacted

Former DA Anthony Scarpino — whose office presented the McKenna grand jury that returned a no true bill in November 2020 — was contacted June 3, 2026 with seven questions. He indicated willingness to speak by phone. As of June 13, no call has been received. Former DA Rocah has not responded to any inquiry.

New Words in Edgewise Analysis

Three New Rochelle Cops. Three DAs. Three Proceedings. Did Westchester Prosecutors Have Their Disciplinary Records in Time? — Full analysis of the Brady/Giglio disclosure question across the Kane, McKenna, and Vaccaro cases and three DA administrations.

Grand Juries Almost Never Say No — Except When the Accused Is a Police Officer — Background on the documented national pattern of grand jury no true bills in police cases.