Rochester, N.Y.’s police chief, La’Ron Singletary, announced his resignation Tuesday after days of protesting in response to the police killing of Daniel Prude. Mayor Lovely Warren also informed the Rochester City Council that in addition to Singletary, the entire command staff announced it would be vacating their roles today. She noted that none of the police leaders were asked to resign.
Singletary became chief in April 2019, and is leaving the position after 20 years with the department. The 40-year-old has come under fire in the past week after footage was released of Rochester police officers holding an unarmed man face-down to the ground in March, causing him to die a week later. The footage prompted outrage from family members and activists who said the police department should learn how to better handle mental health episodes. Others accused the officers of racial bias and excessive force.
Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren also criticized Singletary for his handling of the case, and some community members called for his resignation. In a statement, Singletary said the comments “are an attempt to destroy my character and integrity,” and added, “The members of the Rochester Police Department and the Greater Rochester Community know my reputation and know what I stand for. The mischaracterization and the politicization of the actions that I took after being informed of Mr. Prude’s death is not based on facts, and is not what I stand for.”
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