The Link Entertainment

Connecting.Curating.Creating The Culture

Police handcuff and pepper-spray 9-year-old girl in Rochester, New York

Untitled-design-53

Canva

Share

Rochester New York, Police responded to a call about family trouble on Friday the 29th of January. Deputy Police Chief Andre Anderson said, “officers were made aware that a 9-year-old girl was suicidal. She indicated that she wanted to kill herself and she wanted to kill her mom. He added she initially tried to run away. 

While the officers were on the scene it became very forceful. The 9 year- old girl was sprayed with pepper spray and put in handcuffs to detain her. Nevertheless after the incident a Rochester police officer has been suspended and two others were placed on administrative leave. 

A total of nine officers were on  the scene, but the action was taken against  three at the order of the mayor, a release Monday from Rochester Police Department interim chief Cynthia Herriott-Sullivan confirmed.

Police released two bodycam videos Sunday that showed officers restraining a distraught girl. The footage shows the 9-year-old being pushed into the snow, pepper sprayed various times and being handcuffed and put in the back of the car.

Body-camera video  (Warning you may find this footage disturbing.)

Mayor Lovely Warren in a statement released said, “What happened Friday was simply horrible, and has rightly outraged all of our community,” she stated.  “Unfortunately, state law and union contracts prevent me from taking more immediate and serious action,” the mayor said. “I will lead the charge that these laws be changed as part of our response to the Governor’s Executive Order 203. And, we will be asking our state legislators to join me, and make numerous changes in Civil Service Law that would allow cities to more quickly issue discipline in cases like this one.”

The child was taken to Rochester General Hospital under the state’s mental hygiene law. After being treated, she was released to her family. As the investigation continues no more officers have been suspended. 

About Author