PAB releases results for dozens of police misconduct investigations

ROCHESTER, NY — The Rochester Police Accountability Board held a press conference Monday after releasing the results of 31 completed investigations into allegations of police misconduct.

This is despite the city’s assertion that the committee lacks the legal authority to release these reports and that publishing potentially false allegations violates the city’s code of ethics.

Each report, which totals hundreds of pages, examines various allegations made by community members, with identifying information redacted. No names are mentioned on either the community or police side. The reports also describe the PAB’s investigative process, the Rochester Police Department’s response and the panel’s official recommendations.

One of the reports covers a 2022 incident involving an EMT that News10NBC covered extensively. A lawsuit identified the EMT as Lekia Smith, who was arrested by Detective Charles Lotiempo after her ambulance door damaged his civilian car. The report finds Lotiempo violated 10th RPD regulations and recommends his termination.

While some reports classify the allegations as unfounded and document the RPD’s timely cooperation, other reports report long wait times and denials by the department. The PAB can only recommend disciplinary action, as the RPD has the authority to discipline officers.

The PAB has recommended certain disciplinary actions, but the panel does not have disciplinary power to hold officers accountable. The police union says the PAB’s investigations are incomplete and inflammatory. The PAB says the reports demonstrate its commitment to transparency.

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