POLICY & OVERSIGHT
The Division of Policy & Oversight is dedicated to ensuring transparency, accountability, and equity in law enforcement by thoroughly reviewing the policies, procedures, patterns, and practices of the Rochester Police Department.
Click here to read more about Policy Agenda 2025.
Proposals for Change
A Proposal for Change is a community and data-driven process where PAB makes formal recommendations to change policies and practices that impact the Rochester Police Department.
Ongoing
Right to Know is closed to public feedback and has been submitted to the Rochester City Council for committee review. At this time, no date has been set for the proposal to be heard. You can read the RPD response to the proposal below.
Completed
Police Data Transparency – La Transparencia de Datos
Data Transparency presentation slides
The PAB Data Transparency Proposal for Change is closed to public feedback and has been submitted to the Rochester Police Department.
Protest and Mass Gathering Proposal for Change
The Protest and Mass Gathering proposal for change is closed to public comment. The report and public feedback have been sent to the RPD.
Oversight Investigations
PAB conducts Oversight Investigations that create transparency over all powers exercised by the Rochester Police Department and its officers. An Oversight Investigation addresses a specific subject or aims to answer a particular question.
Ongoing
- The PAB seeks to evaluate beanbag gun related policies for (a) whether they are effective and implementable and (b) to make recommendations to strengthen these policies. Similar to our protest policy audit, we plan to conduct exhaustive research and close readings of RPD policies and practices, compare those guidelines to other jurisdictions, and recommend the best path forward.
Completed
- The PAB conducted an oversight investigation into the RPD’s policies related to discipline for officer misconduct, including the Locust Club collective bargaining agreement, the PSS Manual, RPD general orders, and the Rochester City Charter. The PAB also analyzed the RPD’s discipline data from PSS annual reports and the City of Rochester’s public discipline database.
- PAB conducted an oversight investigation into RPD’s use of force involving juveniles. PAB analyzed over 1,100 reports from December 27, 2021, to May 25, 2023, identifying 318 incidents involving 184 children. PAB mapped and categorized the incidents to show where they occurred and what techniques officers employed.
Final Report: Juvenile Use of Force: An Oversight Investigation
Uso de la fuerza contra menores:Una investigación de control
