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Black woman to lead Rochester police after Daniel Prude’s death

Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren tapped a Black woman to become the new interim city police chief, saying she will bring a “fresh approach to policing” amid the aftermath to Daniel Prude's death.

In this image taken from police body camera video provided by Roth and Roth LLP on Sept. 2, 2020, a Rochester police officer puts a hood over the head of Daniel Prude, on March 23, 2020, in Rochester, N.Y.
In this image taken from police body camera video provided by Roth and Roth LLP on Sept. 2, 2020, a Rochester police officer puts a hood over the head of Daniel Prude, on March 23, 2020, in Rochester, N.Y.Read more/ AP
    by Associated Press, The Associated Press
    Published 

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren tapped a Black woman to become the new interim city police chief, saying Saturday she will bring a “fresh approach to policing” amid the tumultuous aftermath to Daniel Prude’s death.

Cynthia Herriott-Sullivan, who retired from the department in 2009 as a lieutenant, will become the first woman to head the police department on Oct. 14. Warren fired former Police Chief La’Ron Singletary this month after police body camera video was released of Prude, a Black man who died several days after officers put a hood over his head and pressed his face into the pavement on March 23.

The video's release sparked days of protests in the city and insistent calls for reform.

“I am confident that she will bring a different perspective and instill a fresh approach to policing, both of which are very much needed in our city, particularly at this difficult time,” Warren said at a news conference.

Herriott-Sullivan is currently the interim deputy executive director at the Rochester Housing Authority.

“I know these are tough times right now, but I believe strongly that we all bring our best to the table and we’ll be able to get it done,” Herriott-Sullivan said.