INVESTIGATIONS

The Police Accountability Board accepts reports of police misconduct from the community through our website, by phone, email, or by walk-in at our 245 E. Main Street office.

Allegations of misconduct should include as much detail as possible to aid in the investigation. This includes the date, time, and location of the incident, as well as a detailed description of what happened.

Trained investigators will use that information, as well as any witness statements, documents, video, or other evidence about what transpired to determine if police misconduct occurred. Whether or not something is police misconduct depends on the policies and rules of the Rochester Police Department, as well as all applicable local, state, and federal laws.

The PAB uses a “substantial evidence” standard, which means that there is enough relevant evidence to support a conclusion.

Police Accountability Board investigative determinations are placed into a Closing Report which documents the full investigative process as well as recommended findings of the agency’s investigator.

When a finding of police misconduct is sustained, the PAB recommends a disciplinary sanction using our Disciplinary Matrix. The Closing Report and recommendations then go to the Board of the PAB, a volunteer body comprised of nine city residents who reflect the diversity of Rochester.

Three-member Board Panels review the Closing Report and relevant evidence and vote on the final outcome. They can adopt, reject, or amend the findings of the PAB investigator, including the disciplinary recommendation.

Each Closing Report has three sections. The first section states the final Board decision for each allegation, including the final disciplinary recommendation (if applicable). It also includes the date of the Board panel review and definitions of relevant terms. The second section contains the investigatory report prepared by PAB staff and presented to the Board, including the recommended findings for each allegation of police misconduct. If the PAB investigative report includes a recommendation of at least one sustained finding, there is a third section that outlines the recommended discipline based on the Disciplinary Matrix for the Board’s consideration.

Once the Board votes to close an investigation, the results are sent to the involved parties as well as the Chief of the Rochester Police Department. According to the City Charter, the Chief must respond within 30 days of receipt of a PAB report and recommendation.

The reports below have been redacted prior to public consumption to protect the identities of the parties involved in the investigations.