RPD must publicly release misconduct, disciplinary records

RPD must publicly release misconduct, disciplinary records, N.Y. Court of Appeals says

BY Spectrum News Staff Rochester

PUBLISHED 4:40 PM ET Feb. 20, 2025 PUBLISHED 4:40 PM EST Feb. 20, 2025

The Rochester Police Department must release all records on officer misconduct allegations and disciplinary measures to the public, according to a ruling from the state's highest court.

The New York Court of Appeals affirmed a decision Thursday in a New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) lawsuit filed against the department.

That ruling requires the RPD to release the records in a series of civilian complaints against officers dating back 25 years.

A lower court previously allowed the RPD to withhold all records of complaints that were not substantiated.

The NYCLU says this latest decision shows police departments cannot ignore freedom of information laws.

“This landmark decision from New York’s highest court is a huge win for transparency," NYCLU Assistant Legal Director Bobby Hodgson said in a statement. "It puts all police departments across our state on notice that they cannot ignore or rewrite the law—which is crystal clear in requiring them to show the public their misconduct records. Rochester argued the police must be trusted to police themselves in secrecy, but that’s not how accountability works, and this decision confirms that it’s not how the law works either."

The City of Rochester released a statement after the ruling:

"The City of Rochester appreciates the clarity of today’s decisions by the Court of Appeals, resolving an issue of interpretation of the language of New York’s Freedom of Information Law following the repeal of Civil Rights Law Section 50-a. We are prepared to move forward in accordance with the Court’s decisions."

Also releasing a statement was the Rochester Police Accountability Board:

“We agree with the Court of Appeals' decision affirming that Rochester Police Department misconduct records are public, regardless of substantiation. Transparency is a cornerstone of accountability, and this ruling ensures that the public has access to critical information about law enforcement conduct.

This decision strengthens our ability to investigate patterns of misconduct, call for necessary reforms, and advocate for policies that build public trust.

We remain committed to ensuring transparency, accountability, and community trust in policing."