A judge has granted a preliminary injunction, blocking a November referendum on whether the City of Rochester should set up a civilian Police Accountability Board.
Judge John Ark's ruling on a suit brought by the Police Locust Club, the patrol officers' union, says the referendum can appear on the ballot. But he says the measure can't be voted on come election day unless his court or an appeals court says it can. The judge says this case makes it necessary to be sure the language of the referendum is constitutional and well-crafted because it's a matter of pressing public importance. He said it should not be rushed through.
The union is fighting to keep the referendum off the ballot. Locust Club President Mike Mazzeo says the judge is taking all things into consideration. The attorney representing Rochester City Council, Andrew Celli says the Judge is basically considering whether to stop an election. The lawsuit claims the charter amendment that would create the board violates the Civil Service Law, the collective bargaining agreement, and the law that governs negotiations between police and City Hall.
The Rochester City Council approved plans for the board back in May. Under the plan, the nine-member board would investigate claims of misconduct by officers.