The entire Emergency Response Team at the Buffalo Police Department have resigned to show support for two other officers who were suspended without pay for shoving an elderly man to the ground during a protest in New York.
WIVB reporter, Dave Greber confirmed in a tweet that a total of about 57 officers resigned on Friday. He also said they are still employed, but no longer on ERT.
#BREAKING: I’m told the entire @BPDAlerts Emergency Response Team has resigned from the team, a total of 57 officers, as a show of support for the officers who are suspended without pay after shoving Martin Gugino, 75. They are still employed, but no longer on ERT. @news4buffalo
— Dave Greber (@DaveGreber4) June 5, 2020
The move comes less than 24 hours after two cops in heavy gear were filmed shoving 75-year-old Martin Gugino during a protest in New York on Thursday, June 4.
In the video shared online, Mr.Martin is seen falling backwards and hitting his head on the steps of Buffalo City Hall before he started bleeding from the head.
Reacting to the incident, Buffalo Police Commissioner announced that the two officers involved in the incident were suspended without pay. The Mayor of Buffalo also said that he was deeply disturbed over the incident, adding that the elderly man is in serious but stable condition.
In a show of solidarity for the suspended cops, the rest of the Emergency Response Team at the Buffalo Police Department resigned from the special squad.
Mayor Byron Brown also issued a statement, saying the city is aware of these resignations.
“The City of Buffalo is aware of developments related to the work assignments of certain members of the Buffalo police force. At this time, we can confirm that contingency plans are in place to maintain police services and ensure public safety within our community. The Buffalo police continue to actively work with the New York State Police and other cooperating agencies.”
“If they resigned, I’m exceptionally disappointed by it because it indicates to me that they did not see anything wrong with the actions last night,” Poloncarz said after being asked about the ERT Team resigning:
