Blacks in Law Enforcement of America

A National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Professionals

New York Office

405 Tarrytown Rd. #1318
White Plains, New York 10607

Accepting Our Responsibility to Rebuild Our Community

June 17, 2016

Rick Pogue
Commissioner Human Resources
City of Mt. Vernon
1 Roosevelt Square,
Mount Vernon, NY 10550


To whom it may concern,


Per last our conversation about the legitimacy of Joseph Spiezio holding the position
of Deputy Police Commissioner; I am requesting information from the City of Mt.
Vernon Human Resources Office through the Freedom Of Information Act.

When did your office first received Mr. Spiezio's certification from the City Clerks
Office that he held the title of Deputy Police Commissioner?

Did your office have any record of Mr. Spiezio's certification from January 1, 2016, to
May 31, 2016? If so, please provide documents.

The City Clerk, George Brown has confirmed that Mayor Thomas did not submit any
oath of office dated January 27, 2016, until June 1, 2016. Are you aware that the City
Charter states that all appointments must be submitted within 15 days of swearing
in?

Chapt. 24 Article IV reads An appointive officer or employee within 15 days after
receipt of notice of his appointment, the office or position shall be deemed to be
vacant and the vacancy shall be filled in the manner herein provided for the filling of
a vacancy.

Are you also aware that a letter to Mayor Thomas from City Clerk George Brown
dated May 18, 2016, with a list of all Mayoral appointments made from January
2016 to May 2016, that oaths of office and certificates were on file at that time, and
Joseph Spiezio was not on that list?

Member of the Grand Council of Guardians


In your capacity as Commissioner of Human Resources, was Joseph Spiezio certified
as a law enforcement officer of Mt. Vernon and the state of New York from January
to June 1, 2016 and is he a law enforcement officer now for the city of Mt. Vernon?

I hope you understand the seriousness of this request. As a national organization of
Law Enforcement Professionals, it is our duty to make sure proper rules and
regulations of followed before anyone can wear a badge that gives you a license to
arrest and use deadly force.

Please see the attached documents.

Thank you for your time in this matter

Damon K. Jones
New York Representative
Blacks in Law Enforcement of America
914-525-5288


cc: Ronald Hampton
Blacks In Law Enforcement of America
Washington D.C.

Charles Billups
Grand Council of Guardians

Bonita E. Zelman
Legal Council

James A. McCarty
Acting District Attorney
Westchester County

Eric Schneiderman
New York State Attorney General

Preet Bhahara
U.S. Attorney Southern District