As Rochester police try to build better relations with city residents another roadblock has surfaced…in the form of a 17-year-old who says police knocked him off his bike and beat him as he was leaving the Puerto Rican festival earlier this month.
The United Christian Leadership Ministry held a news conference today with Ricky Bryant’s family demanding answers from the RPD.
The RPD says it can’t comment.
Bryant’s mother says her son was riding from the festival on Remington Street when police officers pushed him off his bike. The Bryant’s lawyer contend the teenager was beaten, hit with a Taser and pepper-sprayed before being taken to the Clinton Section station. There he was treated for an eye injury and eventually given his bike back and sent home.
Angela Bryant complained to Mayor Lovely Warren and says she received information from a supervisor saying police had been told her son might have a gun. She says the supervisor said excessive force was used and an internal investigation was underway.
Bryant’s lawyer wants an FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office investigation, and the ministry group wants criminal charges filed against eight to 10 officers they say were involved. The family will meet Friday with Mayor Lovely Warren and Rochester Police Chief Michael Ciminelli.