Police union and alleged victims respond to latest findings in alleged "gay bashing"

Rochester Police Union Vice-president Mike Mazzeo believes the investigation into the alleged gay bashing incident involving several Rochester police officers has been a “witch hunt” from the beginning.

“There's not even a findings yet that a hate crime even occurred that night. Yet, already the police officers that responded that night have been investigated judged and sentenced,” said Mazzeo.

Butt Christine Herrick says she has the bruises to prove it did happen. She has pictures taken just hours after the alleged assault. She says she’s still recovering from the attack.

“Definitely a lot of mental stress, but things are getting better day by day and we're just taking it what we can make the best of it,” said Herrick.

On Thursday Herrick along with her lawyer, and friend Dave Greenlaw, who was also there the morning of the alleged attack, praised the civilian review board’s findings. The board agreed with a police department internal investigation that police acted improperly during a June 1st incident on Goodman Street.

“For the nature of the allegations top be sustained and for the police chief to make it public really shows an intent to take these claims seriously,” said lawyer Christina Agola.

Chief Moore says the officers involved in the alleged attack will be given an outline of the allegations and eight days to respond. They also can request an arbitrator. But that's little comfort to Mazzeo, who says the chief is selling out down to political pressure.

“Simply what occurred that night on South Goodman Avenue was a small group of individuals that were intoxicated and disorderly and officered responded like we do hundreds of times a night and dispersed the group,” said Mazzeo.

Chief Moore says if the officers involved could face anything from a reprimand to termination.