“I am appalled by the video released today depicting the despicable conduct of the staff involved in the assault and death of Robert Brooks at the New York State Correctional Facility at Marcy. The demeanor revealed in this video is not acceptable at any level of professional law enforcement. These State Corrections Officers swore an oath to uphold and defend the law; yet – either through their actions or failure to intervene - they chose to violate that oath. Their conduct disrespects the efforts of all law enforcement officials who honor their oath and it diminishes the public’s confidence in law enforcement.
“The actions of those directly involved in this assault at Marcy Correctional Facility should not cast a shadow on the vast majority of hardworking Corrections Officers who abide by their oath to serve and protect those in custody.
“There is no place in our society for this type of behavior. On behalf of the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, I offer our prayers and condolences to the family of Robert Brooks.”