Rochester Police Chief La’Ron Singletary is retiring over protests due to the death of Daniel Prude. Prude, who is black, died from complications of asphyxia when being restrained while wearing a spit hood.
Deputy Chief Joseph Morabito and Commander Fabian Rivera also announced their retirements Tuesday. Two other high ranking officials, Deputy Chief Mark Simmons and Commander Henry Favor, returned to a lower ranking of lieutenant.
Singletary said in a statement that the events leading to his retirement were an attempt to destroy his character and integrity.
“The mischaracterization and the politicization of the actions that I took after being informed of Mr. Prude’s death is not based on facts, and is not what I stand for.”
By describing his departure as a retirement, he and the other chief officers will be able to draw their pension and health benefits. Singletary is 40 years old.
Mayor Lovely Warren said that Singletary nor others were asked to step down, and that the chief will remain in charge through the end of the month.
See NBC.