Rochester's police chief and mayor are responding to reports of a video showing part of an encounter between an officer and another man on Thursday afternoon.
Police said the sergeant was observing illegal drug activity on Genesee Street and attempted to make an arrest. Part of the incident was captured on video, however, it only shows the officer in a physical confrontation with the suspect.
Police said 36 year old Clem Long was taken into custody following the incident. He faces charges that include assault, resisting arrest and a drug charge. The video shows an officer striking a man several times during an arrest.
RPD Chief Mike Ciminelli tells Time Warner Cable News there are still a lot of questions to be answered.
"The video that has surfaced is really showing just about the end of the entire event. It is evidence in this case, we will take that into consideration. It is our job to be objective and open minded and look at all the evidence and not form a premature judgment, and that's what we're going to do."
Mayor Lovely Warren said many times when these incidents are posted on YouTube, it only shows part of the event. Ciminelli said he believes there is more video out there that may show the entire event including the police sergeant allegedly being hit over the head with a broom handle by a woman. That suspect is still at large.
The sergeant is currently off-duty because of the injuries he suffered in the incident.
