Police Accountability Board investigating RPD response to Floyd, Prude protests

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — The Rochester Police Accountability Board is launching an investigation into the Rochester Police Department’s response to protests this summer and fall.

Those protests followed the deaths of George Floyd and Daniel Prude. The PAB is also looking at the department’s past response to the Puerto Rican Festival and into the RPD’s policies.

The PAB made the announcement during a meeting with city council Tuesday evening.

"Our oversight investigation will involve our obtaining all data, documents and information regarding RPD’s protest-related policies, practices and procedures and trainings," PAB member Danielle Tucker said.

Members say they informed Chief Cynthia Harriet-Sullivan about the investigation and she is cooperating, and that they will be making recommendations based on the records they’ve created so change can be implemented.

The investigation will begin with an oversight hearing on Feb. 11.

Harriet-Sullivan will present the RPD’s new protest-related policies.

A spokesperson for the City of Rochester released the following statement:

“The Police Accountability Board was established for the purpose of providing an independent review of police matters and conduct. Any review into such matters are aligned with their purpose and our police department will work with them to ensure they have the information they need.”