04-04-2025
Survey: 70% of Rochester residents seek police accountability
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — New data surveyed by the Rochester Police Accountability Board showed nearly 70 percent of people say the city is not doing enough to hold police accountable and they want to see the board hold disciplinary authority. The responses were collected throughout the past few months.
Executive Director Dr. Lesli Myers-Small said the survey was initiated to gauge community perceptions on the Police Accountability Board's practices and discipline powers. The 21-page report includes both quantitative and qualitative analyses, leading to action plans the board said they want to implement.
'This is about the accountability, the transparency, and making sure that we follow up on concerns,' Dr. Myers-Small said.
Dr. Myers-Small said the community's input is valued — wanting to make sure every voice is uplifted as the entity was created by the community.
'We had naysayers, people who don't believe in what I do, in what we do as an agency, people who might not like the concept of a police accountability board. So, we wanted to look at that,' Dr. Myers-Small said.
Out of 212 responses, the majority said they want to see investigative reports administered by the board published and would like to be better informed in how to file complaints. Respondents also noted underrepresentation from Hispanic, youth, and non-English speaking communities.
'We know that we might not change hearts, we might not change minds, but we want to make sure that people have the correct information about what we do,' Dr. Myers-Small said.
Dr. Myers-Small said the board will re-engage the Police Accountability Board Alliance to strengthen accountability, as well as share investigative findings with policy makers and host forums to build deeper trust with the community. Dr. Myers-Small also emphasized her relationship with Rochester Police Chief David Smith.
'We meet monthly, and we have really robust conversations about the work that we are doing. I get to have a better understanding from him what's going on, and it's a very collaborative, mutual, respectful relationship,' Dr. Myers-Small said.
News 8 asked Dr. Myers-Small about the Board's reaction to the body-worn camera footage released of the controversial ICE arrest in Rochester at the end of March. She said the board had been reviewing the City's General Order 502 before the incident occurred.
'We really try to make sure that we're keeping our ear to the ground relative to things that are going on in the community. And we knew with the, you know, the new administration, that this is something that certainly is a priority for them, you know, immigration and ICE,' Dr. Myers-Small said. 'We actually make recommendations to the chief or to city council on police matters. So that's that was a very contemporary issue that we took a look at.'
Dr. Myers-Small also said she feels the board is heading in the right direction and spotlighted the collaboration between the collaboration between her and Chief David Smith and said that will continue at a meeting next month to invite the board to see how viewing footage from the blue light cameras around the city operate to ensure public safety.
A full version of the PAB's survey can be found on its website.
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