Officers Involved in Pepper Spraying A 9-Year-Old Child Suspended

The Suspensions were ordered to start immediately until the results of the PSS and PAB investigations are completed.

– Mayor Warren Also Announced Her Support For Changes To State Law To Allow Cities To Take Immediately Action to Discipline Officers, When Necessary

February 1, 2021 – After meeting with Rochester Police Department Chief Cynthia Herriott-Sullivan today, Mayor Warren ordered the Chief to immediately suspend the officers involved in the use of pepper spraying of a 9-year-old girl on Avenue B on Friday. The suspensions will continue, at a minimum, until the results of the internal police investigation are concluded.

“What happened Friday was simply horrible, and has rightly outraged, all of our community,” said Mayor Warren. “Unfortunately, state law and union contract prevents me from taking more immediate and serious action. I will lead the charge that these laws be changed as part of our response to the Governor’s Executive Order 203. And, we will be asking our state legislators to join me, and make numerous changes in Civil Service Law that would allow cities to more quickly issue discipline in cases like this one.”

The suspensions, by law and contract, begin the legal process to fully determine what happened and what discipline needs to be enforced in response.