NEW YORK — New York’s governor has ordered greater than a dozen jail staffers to be fired over the deadly beating of an inmate earlier this month.
Gov. Kathy Hochul mentioned in a press release Saturday that she has directed the state’s corrections division commissioner to start the method of terminating 14 staff concerned within the deadly assault on the Marcy Correctional Facility.
Robert Brooks died on Dec. 10 after an encounter with officers the day earlier on the jail positioned in Oneida County.
Hochul’s workplace did not elaborate on the circumstances main as much as the loss of life however mentioned her resolution comes after an inside evaluation.
“The overwhelming majority of correction officers do extraordinary work underneath troublesome circumstances, and we’re all grateful for his or her service,” the Democrat mentioned in a press release. “But we have now no tolerance for people who cross the road, break the legislation and have interaction in pointless violence or focused abuse.”
The corrections division on Saturday supplied a listing of 13 workers, together with correctional officers, sergeants and a nurse, who’ve been suspended with out pay in addition to one other correctional officer who has resigned.
But the company declined to supply extra particulars concerning the incident apart from to say that Brooks was pronounced lifeless at a hospital in Utica within the early morning hours on Dec. 10.
The 43-year-old had been serving a 12-year jail sentence for first-degree assault since 2017, in keeping with the division.
State Department of Corrections Commissioner Daniel Martuscello III additionally denounced the staffers’ actions and mentioned the suspensions are “in one of the best curiosity of the company and the communities we serve.”
“There is not any place for brutality in our division and we are going to vigorously pursue justice towards the people who dedicated this mindless act,” he mentioned in an emailed assertion. “These investigations are ongoing and extra suspensions could also be issued.”
The labor union representing correctional officers did not instantly remark.
Brooks’ household mentioned in a press release from their lawyer that they’re “extremely shocked and saddened” concerning the loss of life, in keeping with The Times-Union in Albany, which first reported the loss of life.
“We are grateful that Gov. Hochul is taking swift motion to carry officers accountable, however we can not perceive how this might have occurred within the first place,” the household mentioned in its assertion, in keeping with the newspaper. “No one ought to should lose a member of the family this fashion.”
State Attorney General Letitia James mentioned her workplace can be investigating the usage of power by correction officers that led to the loss of life.
The Democrat mentioned her employees has obtained video of the incident and can make it public after Brooks’ household has seen it.
“Law enforcement professionals should be held to the very best requirements of accountability, and I’m dedicated to offering New Yorkers with the transparency they deserve,” James mentioned in a press release.
This article was generated from an automatic information company feed with out modifications to textual content.