Detective Acquitted In 2021 Assault Is Fired By NRPD: Report

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — A controversial New Rochelle police detective has been fired, according to a report from CBS News New York.

Police Commissioner Robert Gazzola terminated Michael Vaccaro on Friday after what was descibed as a "lengthy disciplinary process," according to the station.

A judge acquitted Vaccaro of charges he crossed the line during an off-duty confrontation.

Judge Matthew Costa found that Vaccaro's use of force was justified when attempting to restrain a suspect after on-duty backup had already arrived.

Vaccaro faced misdemeanor charges related to the incident. The detective insisted that he acted to protect an elderly woman who was being harassed and threatened. Prosecutors, however, said the charge stemmed from the detective's actions after uniformed officers arrived.

Vaccaro was suspended without pay, following the incident.

Police union officials assailed the Westchester District Attorney for bringing charges in the first place.

"The New Rochelle PBA is pleased, but not surprised, by this verdict," union representaives said at the time. "Though we are pleased with the outcome of this case, we remain disappointed and frustrated with the Westchester County District Attorney’s decision to charge Detective Vaccaro in the first place, and with the prosecution’s appallingly slanted presentation of the events that occurred on February 15, 2021 during the trial ... Fortunately, DA Rocah did not have the final say in whether Detective Vaccaro acted within the parameters of the law."

SEE ALSO:

• Not Guilty: New Rochelle Detective Acquitted In Assault Case
• New Rochelle Off-Duty Officer Suspended For Fight

Westchester County District Attorney Miriam Rocah said that while a judge decided there was proof beyond a reasonable doubt to support a conviction in this case, her office would not be deterred from "holding accountable the few who abuse their positions of authority."

"We are proud of the work of our dedicated prosecutors and we thank the New Rochelle Police Department for their cooperation in this case," Rocah said in a statement following the verdict. "As with all criminal trials, the People have the burden of presenting proof beyond a reasonable doubt. As the Court indicated in its decision, the Court was faced with two narratives that were both "reasonable" based on the evidence presented. Given the People’s burden, the Court determined that it was not provided with proof beyond a reasonable doubt to support a conviction on the charges brought, a decision we respect. We remain committed to holding accountable the few who abuse their positions of authority, and we will continue to work with our valuable law enforcement partners to keep our communities safe."

SEE ALSO:

• NAACP Protest Calls For Detective To Be Fired Following Acquittal
• New Rochelle Off-Duty Officer Suspended For Fight
• Indictment Of New Rochelle Kitten-Rescuing Cop Riles Police

Imediately following last year's acquittal, there were calls for the department to fire the detective.

"New Rochelle Detective Michael Vaccaro was acquitted of charges of attempted assault after Det. Vaccaro is shown on video punching Malik Fogg, a young Black man, several times," Minister Mark McLean, President of the New Rochelle Branch of the NAACP said, announcing protests following the verdict. "This system has once again shown that it is either unwilling or unable to hold rogue police officers accountable when they brutalize our community. We are determined to continue to insist for accountability for those who are entrusted with protecting our community."

SEE ALSO:

• Catastrophe Avoided, Community Rallies To Rescue Trapped Kitten
• Update: Lucky 'Nugget' Finds A Forever Home With His Rescuer

More than a year after the protest, Vaccaro was told he is no longer a member of the force.