NEW YORK – Rochester Police Chief La’Ron Singletary and a his command staff have announced their retirement from the Rochester Police Department amid ongoing protests and violent riots.

The announcement was made Tuesday amid calls from protesters for him and Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren to resign after the death of Daniel Prude. Warren has not announced any plans to resign, nor did she ask Singletary to retire.

Singletary served the RPD for 20 years and became the chief in July 2019 after a national search that drew more than 20 applicants. He was recommended for the job unanimously by the internal review committee.

Deputy Chief Joseph Morabito also announced his retirement after more than 34 years of service to the RPD. Deputy Chief Mark Simmons also resigned.

The announcement read, in part:

“As a man of integrity, I will not sit idly by while outside entities attempt to destroy my character. The events over the past week are an attempt to destroy my character and integrity. The members of the Rochester Police Department and the Greater Rochester Community know my reputation and know what I stand for. The mischaracterization and the politicization of the actions that I took after being informed of Mr. Prude’s death is not based on facts, and is not what I stand for.  

I would like to thank the men and women of the Rochester Police Department, as well as the Rochester Community for allowing me the honor of serving as your Chief and fulfilling a lifelong dream. I look forward to continuing to serve our community in my next chapter.”

At a City Council meeting Tuesday, Warren said she does not have an interim chief lined up yet, and that more resignations and retirements may be possible.

WATCH:

Rochester City Councilman Michael Patterson told News10NBC the council was blindsided by the resignations, and they’re not sure when the effective date is.

This is a developing story.

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