The president of the Rochester, NY police union on Sunday defended the actions of police officers seen in a video containing a 9-year-old girl who received pepper spray when she disobeyed commands, according to reports.
Locust Club President Michael Mazzeo said during a news conference that police at the scene were dealing with a chaotic domestic situation. He said the girl had a history of extreme explosions, according to Rochester’s WHEC-TV.
“It is incredible that we are dealing with a 9-year-old girl, but this is not the first time she has been handcuffed,” he said. “We are dealing with a very, very difficult situation and with what the police are confronted and faced with. And the limited resources that exist out there ”.
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Mazzeo said police officers were told that the girl was suicidal and that she threatened to hurt others.
“There was a brief explosion of CAP-STUN. It worked. It calmed her down. It caught her and they were still trying to get information from her at that time. We are not saying this is the best answer or the right answer. he continued.
WARNING: GRAPHIC VIDEO
The Rochester Police Department released images of the Friday incident after Mayor Lovely Warren expressed her concern for the child.
A screen capture of the body camera footage released by the Rochester Police Department (RPD).
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“I have a 10 year old child, so she is a child, she is a baby,” said Warren. “This video, as a mother, is nothing you want to see.”
Mazzeo urged people to listen to what the child’s mother was saying to her in the video. He said the police’s job is to help, not hurt, according to the police.
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“We have so many who criticize quickly, but do not offer solutions,” he continued.
The Rochester Police Locust Club acts as the city’s police force union, according to its website.