The City of Rochester has released both police body camera and street camera video showing a controversial arrest on Hollenbeck Street. The city is also launching into a 90 day community policing initiative to improve police community relations in the wake of that controversy.
Mayor Lovely Warren says she wants the city to engage will all parts of the Rochester community over those days, then draft a community policing strategic plan.
City Councilman Adam McFadden says he wants that process to include a civilian police review board with subpoena powers. He says he’s advancing the idea because he wants people to feel comfortable bringing complaints.
The Hollenbeck Street incident became a viral video when a bystander recorded an officer tackling a woman from behind and throwing her to the ground. The police union says that version doesn’t show the woman punching an officer in the face and breaking his glasses before she was arrested. The union also says the body cameras being issued to officers aren’t working as advertised.
Police Chief Michael Ciminelli disputed the union’s take at City Hall news conference. He says the cameras are working and generating hundreds of hours of video. He says the number of cameras in use will double by next week as more officers are equipped.