Daniel Prude death: Rochester police leaders step down

The leadership of a New York police force has stepped down following the death of a black man who was hooded and restrained during an arrest.

Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren told a city council meeting that the chief of police and deputy chief had announced their retirement.

A grand jury will help determine whether charges should be brought over Daniel Prude's death in March.

Seven police officers involved in his arrest have been suspended.

Mr Prude, 41, was said to be suffering from acute mental health problems when police were called. Officers found him running naked in the street in a light snowfall and restrained him with a "spit hood", which is designed to protect police from detainees' saliva.

Footage of the incident emerged recently, igniting fresh protests three months after anti-racism demonstrations rocked the US following the death of George Floyd in Minnesota.

Rochester police chief La'Ron Singletary said in his statement on Tuesday: "As a man of integrity, I will not sit idly by while outside entities attempt to destroy my character."

"The mischaracterisation and the politicisation 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," he added.

Deputy Chief Joseph Morabito also said he would retire, adding that he had worked on the police force for 34 years.

Other senior commanders may also retire, Mayor Warren said according to AP news agency.

The city leader has already said systemic racism led to Mr Prude's death.

Mayor Warren said she was unsure when the police chiefs would stand down as she was still learning the details.

"If that retirement is effective immediately, then we will have to find an interim chief," she told the council meeting.

"I do know that it is going to be difficult to do that."

The mayor also said she had not asked for Mr Singletary's resignation.

"He did not in any way try to cover this up," she added.

Last week, when details of Mr Prude's death became public following a public records request, the mayor expressed frustration with the police chief for not informiRead More – Source

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