Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren speaks during a news conference with Rochester Police Chief, LaRon Singletary, in Rochester, New York, U.S. September 6, 2020. (Photo by Reuters)
Democratic mayor of Rochester has fired the citys police chief, as the US city is reeling with outrage over the long-delayed announcement of the death of unarmed African-American Daniel Prude in police custody.
Mayor Lovely Warren ousted police Chief LaRon Singletary on Monday, just two weeks before his retirement date.
The decision followed a "cursory management review of the citys role in the death of Daniel Prude and subsequent actions."
Prude died of asphyxiation after a group of police officers put a hood over his head, then pressed his face into the pavement for two minutes while he was handcuffed and naked.
He stopped breathing and was declared brain-dead at a hospital, where he passed away on March 30, seven days after the encounter with police in Rochester.
The medical examiner ruled his death a homicide by asphyxiation.
The incident gained national attention only in recent weeks after Prudes family released police body camera footage of the arrest to local media early this month.
The mayor lashed out at police during a news release on Monday, saying that "Prudes death was not taken as seriously as it should have been by those who reviewed the case throughout City government at every level."
"This initial look has shown what so many have suspected, that we have a pervasive problem in the Rochester Police Department," Warren said.
Warren also suspended the citys spokesman and attorney for 30 days.
She ordered the citys Office of Public Integrity to investigate whether anyone - herself included - "violated city or departmental policies or ethical standards."
Warren herself, however, is under fire for the handling of the incident, as Prudes family said on Monday that she took too long to take action in response to his death.
The mayor made no mention of Prudes death until it became public.
A lawyer representing the Prude family, Elliot Shields, said his family waited too long to receive information they requested months ago.
"It is outrageous that the city refused to produce these documents to us," Shields said.
Protesters call for Warren to resign
Protesters took to the streets for the 13th consecutive night on Modnay, calling for the resignation of Warren.
They gathered at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park, calling for justice for Prude and demanding that Warren and Police Union President Mike Mazzeo step down.
Warren, however, said earlier that she had no intention of resigning.
Rochester Board of Education member Ricardo Adams, who attended the rally, said Warrens decision to fire the police chief was "just a lot of political nonsense."
He said the officers involved in Prudes death should be fired too.
Warren has recently suspended with pay seven officers involved in Prudes death.
LINK: https://www.ansarpress.com/english/20237
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