Grand Jury Declines to Indict Rochester Officers Over Death of Daniel Prude
The Rochester police union president has defended the officers who arrested Prude, saying they appeared to follow protocol and urging changes to procedure if necessary. “Let’s not indict a police officer at the lowest level so the public feels or the family feels that there some semblance of justice,” Michael Mazzeo, president of Rochester Police Locust Club said last year.
A grand jury declined to indict Rochester, NY, police officers in the death of Daniel Prude, a black man whom officers detained during a mental health crisis last year.
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the decision Tuesday while calling for criminal justice reforms to hold police accountable and decrying “a system that at its core is broken.” She said she was disappointed in the outcome of the high-profile case, the Washington Post reports.
Prude’s death sparked protests and riots after his family released graphic footage of his arrest.
The officers had covered Prude’s head with a “spit hood” intended to shield officers from bodily fluids during the arrest. The naked man was handcuffed and on the ground as snow fell during the March 23 incident.
Some mental health experts say officers neglected to use known tactics for helping people in crisis.
A medical examiner eventually ruled Prude’s death a homicide caused by “complications of asphyxia in the setting of physical restraint.”
The Rochester police union president has defended the officers who arrested Prude, saying they appeared to follow protocol and urging changes to procedure if necessary. “Let’s not indict a police officer at the lowest level so the public feels or the family feels that there some semblance of justice,” Michael Mazzeo, president of Rochester Police Locust Club, told The Washington Post last year.
More Patrol

Justice Department Releases $25M in Law Enforcement Grants & Resources
The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services has just released $25 million in new grant Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) to support law enforcement. The recently released NOFOs include the Safer Outcomes: Enhancing Crisis Response Training for Law Enforcement Program and other grant programs.
Read More →
What Makes a Laptop Rugged or Fully Rugged?
What separates a rugged laptop from a fully rugged one? In this video, two Panasonic Connect experts explain the military testing, IP ratings, durability standards, and real-world features that help law enforcement officers rely on their computers in any environment.
Read More →
Avon Technologies Appoints Vasilios Brachos as Team Wendy President
Longtime ballistic helmet leader Vasilios Brachos has been selected to guide the next chapter of protection, innovation, and growth at Team Wendy.
Read More →
Brinc Raises $125M to Put a 911 Response Drone on Every Police and Fire Station Roof
The latest round of funding, $125 million, can help fuel Brinc’s mission to deploy 911-response drones at the 80,000 police and fire stations across the United States.
Read More →
Garmont Tactical Contact Collection: New Duty Boots for Law Enforcement
Choosing the right duty boot can make a significant difference during long shifts. In this video overview, Kyle Ferdyn, of Garmont Tactical, introduces the new Contact Collection, designed specifically for law enforcement professionals seeking comfort, traction, and durability.
Read More →
Benchmade Launches Taiga Green Bailout
Benchmade has launched its Taiga Green Bailout, which features an anodized aluminum handle, S90V stainless steel, and Burnt Copper hardware accents.
Read More →
Adept Armor Launches the Nova Titanium Combat Helmet: A Metal Ballistic Helmet at Composite-Helmet Weight
Adept Armor said its new Nova Titanium combat helmet delivers rated 9mm protection at 920 grams all-in, low backface deformation, edge-to-edge coverage, and an indefinite shelf life at roughly a quarter the price of premium polyethylene helmets.
Read More →
5.11 Expands Professional Services Line with Premium, Performance-Driven Scrubs Designed for Healthcare Professionals
The launch of high-performance medical scrubs marks another major expansion of 5.11’s growing Professional Services category, enabling hospitals and healthcare systems to outfit a wide range of roles.
Read More →
SOG Knives Unveils 250th Anniversary Limited Edition Fixed Blade
SOG Knives has debuted its 250th Anniversary Limited Edition SEAL FX Fixed Blade, and only 250 are available. It features an advanced 4.3-inch S35VN steel blade and a tough glass-reinforced nylon handle.
Read More →
POLICE Product Test: Streamlight Wedge SL
The Streamlight Wedge SL is a high-performance light for inspection or administrative tasks that features USB-C charging and an output up to 500 lumens in a compact package.
Read More →