All 57 members of the Buffalo Police Department Emergency Response Team has resigned to protest the treatment of two of their members after video surfaced showing the men pushing a protester.
Via the Investigative Post:
A special squad on the Buffalo Police Department — the Emergency Response Team — has resigned from their posts, according to the Buffalo Police Benevolent Association.
The announcement comes one day after two members were suspended without pay when a video surfaced, showing the officers pushing over a 75-year-old protestor, causing injury. The BPD Internal Affairs unit has opened an investigation into the incident.
“Fifty-seven resigned in disgust because of the treatment of two of their members, who were simply executing orders,” said John Evans, PBA president.
All officers who resigned from ERT will remain on the job in their regular duties, Evans said.
Their action stems from a decision by city officials Thursday to suspend two officers with pay after video showed them shoving a 75-year-old protester who struck his head on the pavement and immediately started bleeding onto the pavement. The victim is hospitalized in serious but stable condition. The conduct of the officers has been widely condemned, by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, among others.
This is highly unusual and makes me wonder if there is more to the story than we are being told.
No matter what 57 uniformed police officers just made a big principled stand. They gave up their jobs and benefits for what they believe is a very good cause.
This is a developing story and we’ll report more as new information becomes available.
