Rochester Police Chief La’Ron Singletary and his entire command staff announced their retirement on Tuesday afternoon following protests and criticism over the police killing of Daniel Prude, an African-American man who died seven days after being hooded and held down.
Prude died of asphyxiation in March after local police put a hood over his head and pressed his head to a street for two minutes. Prude’s brother, Joe, had originally called 911 to get help, saying Daniel was having a mental health emergency.
After days of protests against the Rochester Police Department, Singletary and command staff announced they are retiring from the force.
“As a man of integrity, I will not sit idly by while outside entities attempt to destroy my character,” Singletary, a 20-year veteran of the force, said in a statement. “The members of the Rochester Police Department and the Greater Rochester Community know my reputation and know what I stand for.”
Chief Singletary, Deputy Chief Joseph Morabito and Commander Fabian Rivera have all announced their retirements, Rochester Police confirmed.
