Major Cities Conference President Vincent Vallelong Condemns the Irresponsible Actions of Rochester Mayor Malik Evans and Other Rochester Leaders, Who Chose Politics Over Public Safety in Scolding Their Own Police Officers for Assisting Border Patrol Agents Call for Back Up.
“On March 24, 2025, we saw the dangers of misguided politicians in Rochester, New York, who prioritized their allegiance to reckless “sanctuary” city policies over the safety of the public and Rochester police officers.
The response of Rochester city leaders to the actions of the ten police officers, who answered a call for assistance from Federal law enforcement officers, was a shameful and ill-conceived act of political expediency that shows they have no regard for the safety of their community or for the men and women who have taken an oath to protect their community.
When a call for assistance comes from fellow law enforcement officers, police officers must respond immediately in the interest of public safety. This is what the public expects from law enforcement officers when any officer needs backup. And that’s exactly what happened in Rochester. By taking prompt action, these ten officers ensured the situation did not escalate and or end in a tragedy for anyone involved. The law enforcement unions that comprise the Major Cities Conference are proud to stand with the brave officers of the Rochester Police Department.
For too long, misguided politicians have been allowed to enforce politically correct policies over the safety of the public and police officers. Thankfully, that is now changing because of Federal officials like Border Czar Tom Homan, who knows that “Back the Blue” is more than just a slogan. When Mr. Homan told attendees at the Major Cities Conference last Friday that “help is coming” to Rochester, we know that he will answer the call. Because that’s what real leaders do!”
NPDF EXPRESSES OUTRAGE AS MAYOR AND POLICE CHIEF DENOUNCE ROCHESTER POLICE OFFICERS
ROCHESTER, NY, MARCH 28TH, 2025:
The National Police Defense Foundation, led by Executive Director Joseph Occhipinti, wishes to announce our support and defense of officers from the Rochester, New York Police Department. Officers were recently criticized by the mayor and police chief for quickly responding to a call for help from Border Patrol Agents, who were working in Rochester.
On Monday, March 27th, 2025, U.S. Border Patrol and Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) Special Agents requested emergency police assistance, after stopping a van holding eight (8) people who were initially uncooperative. Rochester police responded to the scene with lights and sirens, ordered the suspects out of the vehicle and helped put them in handcuffs to ensure the safety of all involved.
Though clearly acting within the scope of their duties to respond to a call for help as quickly as possible, the officers were publicly excoriated by their pro-sanctuary city mayor and Chief of Police, despite taking no immigration-related enforcement action, in keeping with Rochester’s Sanctuary City policy. This routine police response was enough to raise the ire of Democrat Mayor Malik Evans, who held a press conference on Wednesday to denounce the officers. The mayor said, “Our policy is crystal clear; City police officers do not help or participate in federal immigration activities.” Since then, the officers have been ordered to undergo re-training and may face disciplinary charges.
Upon learning of the repulsive viewpoint of Mayor Evans and Chief Smith, Executive Director Joe Occhipinti contacted the Chairman of Homeland Security, Rep. Mark Green, MD (R-TN) and Border Czar Tom Homan, who were attending a Major Cities Conference in Nashville, Tennessee with Director Occhipinti and the Rochester police union’s leadership. Both Rep. Green and Mr. Homan pledged their support for the officers for doing their sworn duty. The Rochester police union asked the NPDF for assistance, which Director Occhipinti granted at once.
The National Police Defense Foundation is gravely concerned about the stance that the mayor and police chief of Rochester have taken regarding their officer’s response to requests for assistance by other law enforcement agencies. We are committed to protecting and defending these officers against any repercussions that municipal leaders may undertake against them. The NPDF fervently believes that these officers acted within the scope of their sworn duties to “protect and serve” which is the ethos that all law enforcement are sworn to uphold.
National Police Defense Foundation Executive Director Joseph Occhipinti calls on all members of law enforcement, as well as the public to stand with these officers in their time of need and to make perfectly clear to the Mayor and Chief of Police that their commitment to supporting sanctuary city policy does not supersede the oaths taken by the officers to protect and defend when called upon.
Sgt. Michael Barry (ret)
NPDF Vice President
888-SAFE COP