Several of Monroe County's leading law enforcement officials are now condemning a statement that was critical of a Rochester officer's shooting Monday of a shooting suspect.
The Monroe County Association of Chiefs of Police says the statement this week from Councilmembers Lupien, Smith and Martin "lowers the bar to new levels."
They also say the statement is missing basic facts, and doesn't mention the officer fighting for his life, nor everyday crime victims.
The Councilmembers called the shooting "unacceptable" and "not normal."
Rochester police released bodycam footage of the shooting yesterday.
It showed the officer trying to tase the suspect, followed by a fight between the two over the officer's gun.
From the Monroe County Association of Chiefs of Police:
As law enforcement professionals, there is a common understanding that no matter how long you have been on this job, when you think you have seen it all, you haven’t. The latest statement by three Rochester City Councilmembers in the aftermath of a perilous incident wherein a police officer had to fight for his life while protecting the City of Rochester certainly fits that mold and lowers the bar to new levels.
The basic facts that led to this incident are missing from the Councilmembers’ statement. In addition, there is no mention of the citizens who suffer daily from the actions of people like this “young man” including the shootings and other violent crime plaguing neighborhoods all the while endangering the lives of this community. Just watch the news to hear residents pleading for help – that their neighborhoods are not safe, and this is the response of government leaders? We understand it is a small group, but the silence from the others is deafening.
Of course, there was no mention of the police officer who responded to the shots fired call and found himself fighting for his life, seconds later, alone in a dark backyard. This young officer was doing his job to protect city residents from the lawlessness that these legislators both support and enable with their reckless, extreme behavior over time. This is just the latest example. It must be rejected outright. Not by some, but by all who seek to live a decent, peaceful life.
We think it is important, as chief executives, and for all police agencies in this region, to take a stand and call out these individuals for their words and actions. All police officers have been, and continue to be put at an even greater risk by anti-police sentiment, espoused by some in government.
We support the men and women of the Rochester Police Department, particularly the officers involved in this incident, and all local and regional law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line every day!