The president of Rochester, the New York Police Department, defended the actions of officers on Sunday, which was featured in a video that stopped a 9-year-old girl being sprayed with pepper spray when she disobeyed orders, reports said.
Locust Club president Michael Mazzeo said at a press conference that police on the ground were dealing with a chaotic home situation. He said the girl had a history of extreme eruptions, 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 that police officers are dealing with. And the limited resources that are available.”
MTA EMPLOYEE, SECOND NY MAN WITH BOMBING FILES IDENTIFIED AS PROUD GUYS, SEENING NEW CAPITOL PARTNERSHIP COSTS
Mazzeo said officers were told the girl was suicidal and threatened to harm others.
“There was a short burst of CAP-STUN. It worked. It calmed her down. It brought her in and they were still trying to get information from her at the time. We’re not saying this is the best answer or the right answer. Nobody has those answers, ”he continued.
WARNING: GRAPHIC VIDEO
Rochester police released footage of the incident Friday after Mayor Lovely Warren expressed concern about the child.
A screenshot of bodycam footage released by the Rochester Police Department (RPD).
JANICE DEAN SAYS NBC ANCHOR LESTER HOLT ‘CENSORED’ COMMENTS ON GOV. CUOMO
“I have a 10-year-old child, so she’s a kid, she’s a baby,” said Warren. “This video, as a mom, isn’t all you want to see.”
Mazzeo urged people to listen to what the child’s mother told her in the video. He said the job of the police is to help people, not hurt people, the agency said.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“We have so many who are quick to criticize but fail to provide solutions,” he continued.
The Rochester Police Locust Club acts as the union for the city’s police force, according to its website.