Update 09/08/2020 6:07pm:

The Rochester Police Department's police chief and deputies retired on Tuesday after protests and criticism of the city's handling of the suffocation death of Daniel Prude. Mayor Lovely Warren announced at a City Council meeting that Chief La’Ron Singletary would be retiring after 34 years on the force.

"The events over the past week are an attempt to destroy my character and integrity," Singletary wrote in a letter. "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."

The mayor added that Singletary wasn't asked to resign and that Deputy Chiefs Joe Morabito and Mark Simmons also retired, leaving all three leadership positions open at the department. While no one's been hired to fill the vacant positions, Singletary is expected to stay on until September 28th.

Activists called for Singletary’s resignation after video footage was released last week showing the death of Prude, a 41-year-old mentally ill man who was suffocated while in police custody on March 23rd. The long-delayed announcement that a Black man had been killed by police led to protests and accusations that local leaders hid the murder from the public.

"Our movement for justice is winning, and it’s because of this incredible community, showing up night after night," said Free the People Roc, an activist group working closely with the Prude. "Let’s keep the pressure up until all those responsible for Daniel Prude’s murder and cover-up — including Mayor Lovely Warren — have resigned, taken responsibility, and donated their pensions to the families they allowed to be harmed. Together we have the ability to hold those in power accountable and bring an end to systemic police violence in our community."

Source: Yahoo News

Original 09/04/2020 1:52pm:

Seven Rochester police officers were suspended with pay after bodycam footage showed the moments leading to Daniel Prude's death on March 23. The footage showed police placing a hood over a naked and handcuffed Prude's head and shoving his face into the ground for three minutes. The hood is referred to as a "spit sock," which is designed to shield officers from saliva.

Prude died seven days later of "complications of asphyxia in the setting of physical restraint," "excited delirium," and PCP intoxication, according to a report from the medical examiner who ruled his death a homicide.

"Mr. Daniel Prude was failed by our police department, our mental health care system, our society, and he was failed by me," said Rochester mayor, Lovely Warren. "I am suspending the officers in question today, against the advice of counsel."

While the seven officers weren't named, Warren claimed she didn't see the footage until August 4th and was originally told by Police Chief La'Ron Singletary that Prude died of an overdose.

Prude's brother Joe called police to help Daniel, who was suffering "an acute, manic, psychotic episode," according to the Prude family's attorney. According to police documents, Joe told officers that his brother ran out of the house after being hospitalized earlier in the day for suicidal thoughts. Mayor Warren criticized the hospital for releasing Daniel Prude so soon.

"I placed the phone call for my brother to get help, not for my brother to get lynched," Joe said.

In addition to turning the case over to the New York Attorney General's office, Mayor Warren announced that the city of Rochester will proceed with an internal investigation.

Source: CBS News