Seven police officers in Rochester, NY suspended over Black man's death, mayor says

By Gabriella Borter and Jonathan Allen

 

A view of police cars parked outside City Public Safety Building following the death of a Black man, Daniel Prude, after police put a spit hood over his head during an arrest on March 23, in Rochester, New York, U.S., September 3, 2020. REUTERS/Lindsay DeDario

 

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Seven police officers were suspended Thursday over the arrest and asphyxiation death of Black man Daniel Prude in Rochester, New York after video of the March incident was released, the city's mayor said, calling it an act of racism.

 

Prude's family this week released body camera footage from his arrest, showing a group of officers putting a hood over his head - apparently to prevent his spit from possibly transmitting the novel coronavirus - as he knelt on the ground, handcuffed and naked.

 

Prude's family has called for the arrest of the officers involved in his death seven days after the incident on March 23 in the upstate New York city. Prude was 41.

 

The Monroe County medical examiner ruled Prude’s death a homicide caused by "complications of asphyxia in the setting of physical restraint," according to an autopsy report, the New York Times reported.

 

The autopsy report said “excited delirium” and acute intoxication by phencyclidine, or the drug PCP, were also contributing factors to his death, the Times reported.

 

"Mr. Daniel Prude was failed by our police department, our mental health care system, our society, and he was failed by me," Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren, who is Black, told reporters. "I'm filled with grief, and anger at myself for all the failures that lead to his death."

 

Rochester, New York Mayor Lovely Warren on Thursday said Daniel Prude, a Black man who died by asphyxiation while in police custody, was 'failed by me'.

 

Warren, who said she was not made aware of the circumstances of Prude's death until August, condemned the death as an act of racism.

 

"Institutional and structural racism led to Daniel Prude's death. I won't deny it, I stand before it, and I call for justice upon it," Warren said.

 

Prude's asphyxiation occurred two months before the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police, which spurred international protests against police brutality and racial injustice in the United States.

 

Prude's family obtained body camera footage after filing a freedom of information act request, CBS-affiliate WROC-TV reported.

 

Rochester police chief La'Ron Singletary, who is Black, told reporters on Wednesday that internal and criminal investigations were underway.

 

Rochester police declined further comment on Thursday, and a lawyer for Prude's family did not respond to a request for comment.

 

The office of New York Attorney General Letitia James is investigating, as state law requires whenever police are involved in a civilian's death.

 

'YOU'RE TRYING TO KILL ME'

In the video, an officer placed a "spit hood" over Prude's head. Prude could be heard shouting, "Take this...off my face!" and "You're trying to kill me!"

before his shouts turned to cries and became muffled. Officers were heard saying "Calm down" and "stop spitting."

 

Later, the video showed an officer kneeling on Prude's back while Prude was silent and snow fell around them. Someone was heard saying, "start CPR." Minutes later, the video showed Prude being loaded into an ambulance on a stretcher.

 

Activists were planning protests in Rochester and New York City's Times Square on Thursday calling for the officers to be charged.

 

Protests broke out on Wednesday in downtown Rochester, a city near Lake Ontario about 300 miles (480 km) north of New York City. Police released pepper spray on the demonstrators and arrested nine people, the Democrat and Chronicle reported.

 

Mayor Warren said she was joined by City Council in calling for the charges against the protesters to be dropped on Thursday.

 

Prude's family told reporters that Prude had been struggling with mental health. His brother, Joe Prude, said he had called police because he was worried when his brother left home that night.

 

"I placed a phone call for my brother to get help, not for my brother to get lynched," Joe Prude said.

 

(Reporting by Gabriella Borter and Jonathan Allen; Editing by Alistair Bell and Marguerita Choy)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-09-04

 

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19 minutes ago, webfact said:

Institutional and structural racism led to Daniel Prude's death. I won't deny it, I stand before it, and I call for justice upon it," Warren said

I’m more inclined to believe it was the fact that he was buck-naked high on PCP spitting on police during a pandemic while resisting arrest. 

The police need to realize they are going to be held accountable the old Wild West days are over

gimmie that gun....gimmie that gun i mean it.

Its at the stage now where every Police Force (USA) needs a large contingent Black Police Officers so that only Black Police Offices can deal with Black Criminals.

 

Thus, when a Black guy high on Meth, PCP, with a damning criminal record, warrant for arrest, history of robbery & violent crime etc etc etc....  does not follow police instructions, resists arrest and requires physical restraint he cannot claim racism.

 

That said - when people are dying under such circumstances everything leads to poor police training. 

 

Not every situation can be trained for, there are simply too many variables, however, the police in the USA do seem to have a tendency to ‘escalate’ rather than ‘calm’ a situation. 

 

 

1 hour ago, Mama Noodle said:

I’m more inclined to believe it was the fact that he was buck-naked high on PCP spitting on police during a pandemic while resisting arrest. 

IMO it's going to get to the stage that cops won't go near such persons as damned if they do and damned if they don't, but at least refusing to do their duty will attract less penalty than being accused of murder when just trying to do their thankless job.

35 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Its at the stage now where every Police Force (USA) needs a large contingent Black Police Officers so that only Black Police Offices can deal with Black Criminals.

 

Thus, when a Black guy high on Meth, PCP, with a damning criminal record, warrant for arrest, history of robbery & violent crime etc etc etc....  does not follow police instructions, resists arrest and requires physical restraint he cannot claim racism.

 

That said - when people are dying under such circumstances everything leads to poor police training. 

 

Not every situation can be trained for, there are simply too many variables, however, the police in the USA do seem to have a tendency to ‘escalate’ rather than ‘calm’ a situation. 

 

 

The time can't be far off, IMO, till the police unions tell white officers to refuse to deal with black suspects. IMO that's the only way for white officers to protect themselves.

Just now, thaibeachlovers said:

IMO it's going to get to the stage that cops won't go near such persons as damned if they do and damned if they don't, but at least refusing to do their duty will attract less penalty than being accused of murder when just trying to do their thankless job.

 

And then, when they refuse to ‘deal’ with such ‘persons’ the local community will instead accuse the police of being racist for not policing their area.... 

 

 

1 hour ago, Tug said:

The police need to realize they are going to be healed accountable the old Wild West days are over

 

I completely agree. This is the comment of the night that shines.

The difficulty is people are not permitted to have a balanced opinion on subjects such as this.

 

The Voices on the extremes are shouting the loudest and those who disagree are labelled either racists or liberals when in reality the issues share a great deal of common ground. Unfortunately the common ground has been dichotomised by the politics.

3 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

And then, when they refuse to ‘deal’ with such ‘persons’ the local community will instead accuse the police of being racist for not policing their area.... 

 

 

And rightly so, they are paid and took an oath to do their job. If they dont want to do it then leave.

Just now, Sujo said:

And rightly so, they are paid and took an oath to do their job. If they dont want to do it then leave.

 

They did just that In areas known as "no go" zones and were sued for it. It's been 50 years of trying to cure the black ghettos and the associated cancer. Nothing works.

1 minute ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

And then, when they refuse to ‘deal’ with such ‘persons’ the local community will instead accuse the police of being racist for not policing their area.... 

 

 

The black and Hispanic officers can do so, and if not enough recruit more.

It used to be that no policeman in the US knew if he would not die in the line of duty every working day, but now no white officer knows now if they won't be suspended and facing murder charges by end of working day.

IMO either some change is made to protect white officers or expect a shortfall in recruitment and an increase in resignations.

1 hour ago, Mama Noodle said:

I’m more inclined to believe it was the fact that he was buck-naked high on PCP spitting on police during a pandemic while resisting arrest. 

I'm more inclined to believe  he was discriminated against because he was black! It's an American thing!

10 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

IMO it's going to get to the stage that cops won't go near such persons as damned if they do and damned if they don't, but at least refusing to do their duty will attract less penalty than being accused of murder when just trying to do their thankless job.

An issue raised in the ‘Defund the Police’ debate is the matter of mentally ill persons/drug addicted persons being left for the police to deal with.

 

Spending vast sums of money on militarizing the police while underfunding money on mental health and drug treatment programs.

 

NYPD were almost certainly correct to place these officers on suspension while their actions are investigated, but an investigation that only examines the events at the scene misses all the root causes.

 

Police officers being the first line response to persons suffering mental health and drug addiction needs close examination. 

 

 

 

10 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

An issue raised in the ‘Defund the Police’ debate is the matter of mentally ill persons/drug addicted persons being left for the police to deal with.

 

Spending vast sums of money on militarizing the police while underfunding money on mental health and drug treatment programs.

 

NYPD were almost certainly correct to place these officers on suspension while their actions are investigated, but an investigation that only examines the events at the scene misses all the root causes.

 

Police officers being the first line response to persons suffering mental health and drug addiction needs close examination. 

 

 

 

The issue for "me" is that if "you" defund the "police" stop charging me "taxes" for it. I hope these cities get a bail out because the real issue is they can no longer afford police.

Edited September 4, 20205 yr by Cryingdick

A legitimate question for the PD to answer is why did it take so long to suspend the officers and start an investigation?

 

The suspension/investigation is only now happening because the family of the victim released the video footage to the public.

 

The video footage is from a Police body cameras, for six months the Police did nothing with it.

 

Clearly, had the victims not obtained and released the video footage the PD would never have investigated this death.

 

 

 

 

3 minutes ago, Cryingdick said:

The issue for "me" is that if "you" defund the "police" stop charging me "taxes" for it. I hope these cities get a bail out because the real issue is they can no longer afford police.

Hardly surprising given they are having to deal with the nation’s mental health and drug addiction issues and of course enforcing a nationwide prohibition on drugs.

 

Redirect some of the police funding to dealing with the underlying causes, rather than leaving the police to deal with the symptoms.

Edited September 4, 20205 yr by Chomper Higgot

1 minute ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Hardly surprising given they are having to deal with the nation’s mental health and drug addiction issues and of course enforcing a nationwide prohibition on drugs.

You know this how? Are you doing okay? Most of us leave our houses everyday. It's the lockdowns in overly depressing settings such as NYC that are making people depressed. I love waking up everyday, so I can engage in healthy debates, so does Trump. LOL

1 hour ago, Mama Noodle said:

I’m more inclined to believe it was the fact that he was buck-naked high on PCP spitting on police during a pandemic while resisting arrest. 

What you saying is effectively condoning extrajudicial killing. There is no excuse for the guy dying from asphyxiation allegedly due to police action. Will have to wait and see the outcome of the enquiry to ascertain level of fault by all parties involved.

2 minutes ago, simple1 said:

What you saying is effectively condoning extrajudicial killing. There is no excuse for the guy dying from asphyxiation allegedly due to police action. Will have to wait and see the outcome of the enquiry to ascertain level of fault by all parties involved.

 

You are ignoring the fact that arrests have been made, trial are ongoing, and the only, conclusive and meaningful decision will be handed down by the courts.  

No real facts on what occurred on the night in question from this Reuter's report (I wonder why?) so I'll provide them:

 

In the middle of the night a naked man, in a state of delirium (later found to be acute intoxication by phencyclidine (PCP)) runs out into the street and tells passersby that he has Covid. When officers respond to calls for assistance, he starts spitting at/on them. Officers, following standard police protocols, place a mesh barrier mask over/around his head. The subject is held on the ground for a couple minutes and looses consciousness and is revived. He dies a week later in hospital. 

 

What to take from this: Don't take PCP, Don't run into the street naked, Don't tell people you have Covid and start spitting on them. End of story.

 

Edited September 4, 20205 yr by Pattaya Spotter

Does anyone know the race of the cops that were suspended?

4 minutes ago, Cryingdick said:

 

You are ignoring the fact that arrests have been made, trial are ongoing, and the only, conclusive and meaningful decision will be handed down by the courts.  

try again, from my post...

 

Will have to wait and see the outcome of the enquiry to ascertain level of fault by all parties involved.

6 minutes ago, Cryingdick said:

You know this how? Are you doing okay? Most of us leave our houses everyday. It's the lockdowns in overly depressing settings such as NYC that are making people depressed. I love waking up everyday, so I can engage in healthy debates, so does Trump. LOL

Not living in Muskogee then.

 

https://www.narcononarrowhead.org/blog/drug-crisis-in-muskogee.html

 

The idea that the drug epidemic is something only happening in cities is a dangerous myth.

 

Self preening that you live in some idyllic spot out of harms way is self delusion, as Muskogee tunefully and tragically demonstrates.

5 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Does anyone know the race of the cops that were suspended?

Video of the incident available from news sites. The guy was hooded, handcuffed and kneeled upon, when no longer responding CPR applied, but too late

Edited September 4, 20205 yr by simple1

9 minutes ago, simple1 said:

What you saying is effectively condoning extrajudicial killing. There is no excuse for the guy dying from asphyxiation allegedly due to police action. Will have to wait and see the outcome of the enquiry to ascertain level of fault by all parties involved.

No, I’m denying the dog poo opinion of the mayor that it was “racism” that led to his death.  

3 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Not living in Muskogee then.

 

https://www.narcononarrowhead.org/blog/drug-crisis-in-muskogee.html

 

The idea that the drug epidemic is something only happening in cities is a dangerous myth.

 

Self preening that you live in some idyllic spot out of harms way is self delusion, as Muskogee tunefully and tragically demonstrates.

It simply shows what disdain you have for these type of places. I live here because I love it. Thankfully you can incite riots where ever you want. It's peaceful here Mister.

Edited September 4, 20205 yr by Cryingdick

39 minutes ago, Cryingdick said:

 

You seem to have some sort of issues with Americans? Where are you from?

Many have issues with America, we just wish you were a bit smarter! I'm from one of those countries that is'nt America!

5 minutes ago, Mama Noodle said:

No, I’m denying the dog poo opinion of the mayor that it was “racism” that led to his death.  

Interesting how trump supporters follow trump's lead in scraping the bottom of the barrel in commentary