Shown on video in 2024 planting evidence to frame a Black man

NRPD Lieutenant Sean Kane, who was shown on video planting a bag of white powder under the car of Ivin Harper, a Black former New Rochelle resident, in May 2024, has been demoted to the rank of Police Officer.

In a statement released by City Hall on March 18, Police Commissioner Neil Reynolds said:

“The disciplinary proceeding against Lieutenant Sean Kane has been resolved.  After consideration and full review of the matter, Kane has been demoted two ranks to the position of Police Officer.  Police Officer Kane is presently assigned to re-training, re-orientation, and review of all department rules, regulations, policies and procedures.  Upon completion of his re-training, future assignment will be determined at the discretion of the Police Commissioner.  The New Rochelle Police Department maintains the highest standards of professionalism and accountability. The resolution of this case is consistent with those principles.  This is a personnel matter; the City will have no further statement.”

Police Commissioner Neil Reynolds

Lieutenant Kane, who at the time was the head of the NRPD’s Special Investigations Unit, reportedly reached under a car owned by Harper that was parked near Bracey Houses on May 29, 2024, found a baggie with white powder, and had Harper arrested for possession of cocaine with intent to sell.  Harper is a New Rochelle native who was living in Denver at the time.

Through an attorney, Harper filed a civilian complaint alleging that Kane planted the drugs under the car.  A review of Kane’s body-camera video showed Kane handling a baggie with white powder in his patrol car before allegedly “finding” drugs under Harper’s car. 

Then-Police Commissioner Robert Gazzola suspended Kane on July 29 and referred the case to the Westchester County District Attorney for investigation.   Charges against Harper were dismissed on August 23.  In a statement to the court, Harper said, “This has destroyed me….This big white cop been destroying our little black community for so many years. … Every time we came with a complaint, they promoted him. He was Cop of the Year in 2011. They gave him a Municipal Housing Project award. …Nobody listened to us. … I just want to say I hope this guy is not … the best y’all have to offer to our community.”

Ivin Harper speaking at court hearing where bogus drug charges against him were dismissed

On December 13, 2024, then-Westchester District Attorney Mimi Rocah’s office announced that a grand jury had declined to indict Kane.  The City of New Rochelle issued a brief statement saying, “The New Rochelle Police Department will now continue its internal investigation that was paused when they referred the case to the Westchester County District Attorney’s office in July. Lieutenant Kane remains suspended from duty pending the outcome of the internal investigation.” 

The decision not to indict Lt. Kane drew a strong response from the New Rochelle community.  In a statement on behalf of the New Rochelle NAACP, Chapter President Mark McLean said, “The New Rochelle NAACP is profoundly disappointed and disheartened by the county grand jury’s decision not to indict Lt. Sean Kane, despite clear and undeniable video evidence of him engaging in evidence tampering. This decision is a glaring failure of the justice system to hold law enforcement accountable for actions that betray public trust and compromise the integrity of our legal system.”

The NAACP statement continued, “Lt. Kane’s actions, as captured on camera, are not only egregious but also represent a gross abuse of power that has no place in our police force. Such behavior is a betrayal of the oath to serve and protect all members of the community, and it strikes at the very core of the values that law enforcement is meant to uphold. We firmly believe that Lt. Kane is unfit to wear the badge, and we are calling for his termination upon the completion of the department’s investigation process.”

The grand jury’s decision not to indict Kane left responsibility for disciplining him to Police Commissioner Gazzola.  Gazzola retired in June 2025 and was succeeded by Reynolds, the first Black Police Commissioner in New Rochelle’s history. 

At City Council sessions after Kane’s body-cam showed him tampering with evidence, several New Rochelle residents wondered how many other innocent people might have been framed by Kane or officers under his supervision, and how a corrupt officer was repeatedly promoted and reached one of the NRPD’s most senior positions, leading its Special Investigations Unit.  

Only time will tell if the Commissioner’s disciplinary action will address these concerns and reshape the culture of the NRPD.  These issues have yet to be addressed.