La'Ron Singletary explained

La'Ron Singletary
Office:Chief of the Rochester Police Department
Term Start:July 1, 2019
Term End:September 8, 2020
Predecessor:Mark Simmons (Acting)
Successor:Cynthia Herriott-Sullivan (Acting)
Birth Place:Rochester, New York, U.S.
Party:Republican (2021–present)
Otherparty:Democratic (before 2021)
Education:Monroe Community College
Keuka College (BA)
State University of New York, Brockport (MPA)

La'Ron Singletary (born 1979/1980)[1] is an American law enforcement official who was active in the Rochester Police Department, serving as the chief of the department from July 2019 to September 2020. He resigned after disputes with then Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren in the aftermath of the killing of Daniel Prude. Formerly a Democrat, he ran for congress to represent New York's 25th congressional district in 2022 as a Republican, losing to Democratic incumbent Joseph Morelle.

Early life and education

Singletary grew up in the 19th Ward neighborhood of Rochester, and wanted to become a police officer from a young age. He became a Police Explorer at 14 and graduated from John Marshall High School. He then went on to attend Monroe Community College, graduated from Keuka College, and then received a Master of Public Administration from SUNY Brockport.[2]

Rochester Police Department

Singletary joined the Rochester police force in 2000, and was sworn in by Robert Duffy. He became deputy chief of the department in January 2018, and became chief in July 2019.

While Singletary was police chief, Daniel Prude was killed in police custody in 2020. Prude was under the influence of Angel Dust and was walking the city streets naked before being physically restrained by the police. The incident gained nationwide attention, and after public pressure and a city council investigation that determined that Mayor Lovely Warren and Singletary concealed critical details about Prude's death from the public and lied about their knowledge of the case,[3] Singletary and all other members of the Rochester Police Department command staff resigned.[4] Later, a jury would not indict any of the officers involved.[5]

In December 2020, Singletary accused Rochester mayor Lovely Warren of pressuring him to lie about the series of events following the death of Daniel Prude and firing him after he refused. Warren subsequently argued that Singletary downplayed the circumstances surrounding Prude's death.[6] He later filed a successful lawsuit against the city asking for medical benefits promised to employees who work in the department for more than 20 years.

Political career

Formerly a Democrat, Singletary joined the Republican Party in 2021.[7]

In November 2021, Singletary announced that he was running for the U.S. House to represent in 2022. He was encouraged to run by former state Senator Joseph Robach.

Personal life

Singletary lives in Henrietta, New York.[8]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Rochester Police Chief La'Ron Singletary's File Showed Drive for Advancement . August 31, 2020 . May 26, 2022 . Will . Cleveland . Democrat and Chronicle.
  2. Web site: Freile . Brian Sharp and Victoria E. . La'Ron Singletary, Rochester's next police chief, has 'a good heart' . 2022-05-21 . Democrat and Chronicle . en-US.
  3. Web site: Probe faults mayor, officials for keeping Prude death secret. March 12, 2021.
  4. News: Chappell . Bill . Treisman . Rachel . 2020-09-08 . Rochester, N.Y., Police Chief La'Ron Singletary Resigns . en . NPR . 2022-05-21.
  5. Web site: Craig . Gary . 'This was not a win for anybody.' Singletary opens up about lawsuit settlement . 2022-07-01 . Democrat and Chronicle . en-US.
  6. Web site: Former police chief says Rochester mayor pressured him to lie about his response to Daniel Prude's death . 2022-05-21 . www.cbsnews.com . 17 December 2020 . en-US.
  7. Web site: WHAM . 2021-11-03 . Former RPD Chief La'Ron Singletary makes official his bid for Congress . 2022-05-21 . WHAM . en.
  8. Web site: Meet La'Ron La'Ron Singletary for Congress . 2022-05-21 . www.singletary4congress.com . en.