Police Accountability Board discusses hiring, RPD chief stepping down, officer-involved shooting

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — The Rochester Police Accountability Board had a meeting Thursday evening where they discussed hiring as well as recent developments in the city.

Members of the board say they’re addressing the resignation of Police Chief Cynthia Herriott-Sullivan, the appointment of an interim chief and the deadly officer-involved shooting that happened at the Family Dollar on West Main Street Wednesday night.

"First, every single officer-involved death needs to be investigated independently," said PAB Executive Director Conor Dwyer Reynolds. "The board cannot do that right now, but that’s why we’re so focused on hiring staff and building the policy and procedures, so that come next year we can. Regarding the new chief, I just wanted to put it on the board’s table… we’ve brought the last two chiefs before the board to answer questions to talk about their vision, to talk about their mission."

The positions the board is looking for cover several different categories, including an investigative team and overseeing policy changes.

They’re also looking to fill positions for their legal, digital, and community outreach teams.

The Police Accountability Board is still not accepting public complaints, but its website says it plans to start doing so in early 2022.