ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren outlined new reforms following the release of an investigation by the deputy mayor into why it took several months for the public to learn of the death of Daniel Prude in the custody of Rochester police.


What You Need To Know

  • The city of Rochester released a 300-page report on the death of Daniel Prude on Monday

  • The report shows why it took so long for the public to learn of the incident

  • The mayor announced the suspension of two city officials and an earlier departure of the police chief

  • Reforms and reviews have been put in place following Prude's death

That report says the city's corporation counsel and communications director failed to recognize the significance of Prude's death and failed to inform the mayor.

Now, both of those officials have been suspended.

Mayor Warren maintained that she didn't understand what really happened to Prude until August 4. The city handed out the 300-plus page report from the deputy mayor to back her claim.

The report contains police reports from the night of Prude's arrest, follow-up police reports, emails between members of the RPD, and communications with Prude's family's attorney. The report shows that several days after Prude's death, the family's attorney, Elliot Shields, submitted a request to preserve all of the evidence to the city.

A week later, Chief La'Ron Singletary emailed Communications Director Justin Roj saying Prude's death was ruled a homicide and that the mayor was "in the loop." On Monday, the mayor's office distributed a timeline that shows she met with the chief multiple times without mentioning the investigation surrounding Daniel Prude.

During these months, emails between police department staff and corporation counsel staff show that both departments attempted to delay the release of all the requested evidence and items to the Prude family legal team.

One email from now-acting Rochester Police Chief Mark Simmons says, "I respectfully request that we have a meeting with Corporation Council prior to the release of this video due to the current climate in this city and nation. We certainly do not want people to misinterpret the officers’ actions and conflate this incident with any recent killings of unarmed black men by law enforcement nationally."

Near the end of the report, Mayor Warren pops up in email correspondence for the first time on August 4. She saw the body camera video of Prude's arrest and expressed outrage to the chief over the actions of his officers.

Mayor Warren has directed the City Office of Public Integrity to see if anyone violated the city's policies or ethical standards. She then requested the U.S. attorney general investigate whether Prude's civil rights were violated.

The mayor is requesting the review of the Rochester Police Department training manuals, all body-worn camera footage for use of force arrests, and the city's public information request process.

"This tragic loss of life has shown that we have systematic failures. We have to acknowledge these failures and put in place the reform that only creates the transparency our public deserves but also allows our city to adequately serve our people. I can assure you that we can not be too transparent," said Mayor Warren.

The mayor did not take any questions related to the report or the reforms saying she wants the public to have the chance to digest it. She says they will regroup in a few days to take questions.