Former NYPD School Safety commander faces indictment for involvement in bribery scheme.
The former head of the New York Police Department’s School Safety division faces serious charges regarding an alleged bribery scheme aimed at securing lucrative city contracts for a Florida-based businessman. Federal authorities have reported that Kevin Taylor, who previously held the commanding officer position within the department, is accused of soliciting and accepting substantial bribes, including cash, luxury hotel accommodations, and Broadway tickets, in exchange for leveraging his position to benefit the business.
According to a federal indictment, Taylor exerted pressure on both NYPD officials and City Council members to award contracts to a company specializing in panic button systems for educational institutions. While the firm’s name remains undisclosed in the indictment, products developed by SaferWatch were trialed in the New York City public schools during the 2024-2025 academic year. Investigations indicate that within this framework, a search warrant was executed on an employee of SaferWatch, a company that recently enlisted the expertise of a consultant linked to two high-ranking aides of former Mayor Eric Adams.
The founder and CEO of SaferWatch, Geno Roefaro, aged 39, has also been taken into custody. Both Taylor, aged 52, and Roefaro face charges of bribery and wire fraud. U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton emphasized the seriousness of these allegations, asserting that the NYPD’s procurement procedures should remain free from corruption, especially when it pertains to the safety and welfare of New York City’s schoolchildren and educators.
The indictment outlines that Taylor accepted substantial bribes, purportedly worth tens of thousands of dollars from July 2023 to February 2024, in exchange for promoting Roefaro’s business interests. Efforts by Roefaro to introduce his products through standard channels reportedly met with minimal success, leading him to engage in bribery. Evidence suggests that Taylor, responding to Roefaro, issued a memo advocating for a contract exceeding million.
Further allegations reveal that Taylor enjoyed lavish trips funded by Roefaro, including a Las Vegas excursion characterized by helicopter tours and luxury dining, as well as a trip to the Bahamas, which also included expensive meals. Tensions appeared to rise as Roefaro communicated his frustrations to Taylor over the perceived inadequacy of Taylor’s progress in facilitating the contracts.
As late 2023 approached, Taylor and city officials, prompted by his alleged influence, prepared for a press conference to announce new contract procurements; however, this event was ultimately canceled, reflecting the turmoil underlying the relationship between the two men. Following a report on the investigation, Taylor expressed concerns over potential criminal exposure should Roefaro cooperate with authorities.
The FBI has underscored that Taylor’s conduct not only compromises city contracting protocols but also raises overarching concerns about ethics within the NYPD. Should they be found guilty, both individuals risk incarceration of up to 20 years. Legal representatives for Taylor and Roefaro have yet to comment on the ongoing situation.
As the investigation unfolds, it illuminates issues of corruption and accountability within public service at critical levels, drawing attention to the ongoing need for integrity in municipal governance.
