Davy V. Presents... Rochester, NY Police Department Exposed! Exposing the Misconduct and Corruption within the Rochester Police Department that the RPD and their employer, the City of Rochester, NY, don't want the world to see!
Rochester, NY Police officers kneeing and punching man
By Davy V.
A video posted to Facebook shows a man being pinned on the hood of a Rochester, NY Police cruiser, while three Rochester Police officers are kneeing and punching him.
Although the video is not the best quality, and very shaky as the person recording it is moving around a lot, it doesn't appear to show the man offering any type of resistance.
The incident took place Sunday night after the Juicy J. concert at the Main Street Armory, on East Main Street in Rochester.
As you can see in the video below, at about the :12 second mark of the video, a Rochester Police officer punches the man several times.
Around the :17 second mark of the video, the Rochester Police officer closest to the camera turns around and looks at the camera, his face nearly covered entirely, except for his eyes.
Rochester, NY Police officer, his face covered by mask, realizes someone is video recording
It is not known why the Rochester Police officers had stooped the man.
Near the end of the video, at least one Rochester Police officer makes a bee line straight to the person recording the video, in what looks like an intimidation tactic to either get the person to stop video recording, or force him to move back in order to make it harder to capture the abuse.
As you can see in the video, the RPD cop's intimidation tactics seem to work, as the person recording, continues to move further she further back, until the video stops.
In my upcoming book, which will focus on citizens' first amendment right to photograph and video record law enforcement officers, I will share advice and tips on recording and documenting police officers, and incidents of police abuse such as this one.
One of the most important things to always remember when recording cops, and something I will talk about in my book, is to ALWAYS keep the camera, cell phone, or other recording device on the subject or subjects.
In other words, never take the camera's focus off the action. And never, ever allow police to intimidate you, and stop you from documenting their actions. As long as you are not interfering with them, and as long as you remain at a safe distance, IT IS YOUR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT TO RECORD!
Several Rochester, NY Police officers hanging out in front of Murphy's Law Bar
By Davy V.
Several people contacted me Saturday afternoon, to tell me they observed Rochester, NY Police officers congregating and going in and out of bars in Rochester's East End District.
Some of those same people also said they saw Rochester Police officers drinking out of plastic red Solo cups.
While it is unknown what exactly those Rochester Police officers were drinking, it's a well a known fact that about the only liquid put in and drank from a red Solo cup, is alcohol.
Especially on St. Patrick's Day.
Many festival goers also expressed an uneasy feeling at the amount of Rochester, NY Police officers, as they described, "hanging out in packs" on East Avenue.
One woman said she felt very uncomfortable.
Rochester, NY taxpayer dollars at work
"They looked more like gang members than police officers," the woman told me.
"They seemed to be looking for someone to pounce on."
Hangin' Out.
Rochester, NY Police department's Mobile Command Unit' on East Ave.
Another woman said several Rochester Police officers were more interested in flirting with females enjoying St. Patrick's Day festivities, than protecting and serving,
"The officers were gawking women who walked by," said the woman.
"They were acting like a bunch of horny high school teens, very unprofessional."
There you have it Rochester, NY... your hard earned taxpayer dollars at work.
They say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
I don't know Rochester, NY Police Sgt. David DiFante personally.
Other than a disturbing photo I exposed, that his daughter took then posted to social media, showing Sgt. DiFante's Rochester Police cruiser parked inside his home's garage, hidden out of view, in order not to draw attention to the fact that taxpayers are paying for Sgt. DiFante's daily commute from his home in Batavia, NY to Rochester, then back to Batavia, I don't really know Sgt. DiFante.
Then there was the other photo I exposed, which shows his son John DiFante, posing for a photo near a swimming pool, wearing his fathers Rochester Police department issued firearm, holster, and police radio, while a little girl looks on in the background.
John DiFante's racist post and thread... 'just finished celebrating the death of osama binladin, thats right fuck you towelheads."
Again, I don't really know Rochester Police Sgt. DiFante.
All I know is that Sgt. DiFante seems to have a blatant disregard for Rochester taxpayers, and a very irresponsible, reckless behavior, allowing his kids to handle, possess, and pose with a department issued firearm, possibly putting an innocent little girl's life at risk.
Well, if Rochester, NY Police Sgt. David DiFante's son, John DiFante, who is in the military, ever decides to follow in his dad's footsteps, and become a police officer, a disturbing racist comment he posted on Facebook, followed by a thread of comments by him and at least two other individuals, shows just what kind of police officer he will be.
"Rochester, NY Police Sgt. David DiFante's son and daughter
pose with his department issued firearm, holster, and taser
while innocent little girl looks on.
The comment, which was sent to me by the same anonymous person who sent me the photos of Sgt. DiFante's RPD cruiser parked in his garage, as well as the photo of the younger DiFante posing with his dad's RPD issued firearm, seems to have been posted after Osama Bin Laden was killed in Pakistan by U.S. forces.
As you can see in the photo to the right, John DiFante writes; "just finished celebrating the death of osama binladin, thats right fuck you towelheads."
Rochester, NY Police Sgt. David DiFante's cruiser hidden in his home's garage.
Below the comment by John DiFante, an individual named Matt Clor, whose profile photo shows him dresses in a U.S. military uniform comments; "Fucking hate towel heads!!!"
John DiFante then writes; "yeaaa buddy"
Then another individual name Jacob Thomas Bell writes; "Sand Niggers aren't real people.
In another photo I exposed (link below) Sgt. DiFante's son seems to
also have bullied another kid in school.
An individual posts the following comment: "lol heard you beat some fat ass nd kid."
Sgt. DiFante's son replies, " hell yeah".
Not only are the comments racist and disturbing, but when one steps back and looks at how Rochester, NY Police Sgt. David DiFante displayed extremely poor judgement by carelessly and recklessly allowing his son to play with, possess, and pose with his firearm, then when one looks at the amount of racist hatred that his son harbors, one has to wonder where he learned it.
Rochester, NY Police Sgt. David DiFante.
Update: On Monday I was contacted by Rochester, NY Police Sgt. Kavanaugh of the department's Professional Standards Section (PSS). We spoke for over a half hour, and Sgt. Kavanaugh, who was very professional and courteous, told me that they are conducting an investigation into Sgt. DiFante's actions. Follow me on Twitterhttps://twitter.com/davyvara
Click link below to read my original piece on Rochester, NY Police Sgt. David DiFante's son posing with his dad's RPD issued firearm.
Note: While there's been a lot of talk and debate over the use of photos which people post on social media sites, i.e.; Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. it's really quite simple.
You don't have any reasonable expectation of privacy in photos or statements made on the Web.
It's a bit like posting a lost dog poster in a coffee shop or posting a 'For Sale' sign at a laundromat, or even putting out your photos on the coffee table.
You give up your right to claim intrusion when you invite public people to see them.
And, posting photos like the ones above, which were posted on Facebook under 'Public' settings, is inviting well, the public, to see them.
And share them. Simply put... If you don't want your photos getting out in the public domain... Don't put them out there for the world to see.
Rochester, NY Police Sgt. David DiFante's son and daughter pose with his department issued firearm, holster, and taser while innocent little girl looks on.
By Davy V.
Just hours after I exposed a photo which Rochester, NY Police Sgt. David DiFante's daughter posted on social media showing his official police cruiser, parked inside their home's garage, an anonymous person contacted me with two more disturbing photos.
As you can see in the third photo on the right, which seems to be from RPD Sgt. DiFante's son John DiFante's Facebook page, it appears that Sgt. DiFante took his son to a shooting range.
Photo comments
While there may be nothing wrong with a father taking his son to a shooting range, the photo shows that the target is a "Rochester, NY Police Department Silhouette Target", meaning that Rochester Police Sgt. David DiFante allowed his son to shoot at a range which is for law enforcement professionals, i.e.; Rochester Police officers.
Not their family members.
As you can see in the photo, a woman asks Sgt. DiFante's son "U did that? OMG."
John DiFante replies, "yes mam ;)", taking credit for firing the bullet holes seen in the RPD target.
It is unclear what firearm Sgt. DiFante's son John used, which brings us to the other photo that was sent to me.
This photo, (top) which according to the Facebook post, is from 2009, is the one I really find disturbing, for several reasons.
Rochester, NY Police "Silhouette Target" which RPD Sgt. David DiFante's son fired at.
First, the obvious.
The photo shows Rochester Police Sgt. David DiFante's son wearing his father's RPD issued firearm, and holster, around his waist as he's poising with his sister, who is wearing Sgt. DiFante's RPD events vest, while holding what appears to be a handheld taser.
But let's get back to the firearm.
Why would Rochester, NY Police Sgt. David DiFante allow his son, a minor at the time the photo was taken, to handle, and pose with his official, Rochester Police issued firearm?
"U did that? OMG"... " "yes mam:)"
Isn't it Rochester Police department policy that when not on duty, an officer must keep their firearm safely secured and locked away?
I mean certainly I'm sure RPD policy does not condone an officer allowing his children to play with and pose with a department issued firearm.
Or would they?
And was the gun loaded?
If you look closely at the photo, you will see a little girl who must be no more than perhaps 4 or 5 years old.
She is looking at Sgt. DiFante's son and daughter posing for the photo.
Rochester, NY Police Sgt. David DiFante
If in fact the gun was loaded, I hate to imagine the danger that little girl could be in all because a trained Rochester, NY Police Sgt. irresponsibly allowed his children to pose with his gun.
Among the comments for this photo, Sgt. DiFante's son tells someone " nig I saw you today."
Rochester, NY Police Sgt. Dave DiFante's police cruiser, parked inside his home's garage.
"nig"?
The individual then responds "lol heard you beat some fat ass nd kid."
Sgt. DiFante's son replies, " hell yeah".
So let's recap.
Not only does Rochester, NY Police Sgt. David DiFante misuse hard earned taxpayer dollars, driving his vehicle home, then trying to draw less attention by parking it inside his home's garage, but he also allows his kids, including his, son to handle, wear, and pose for photos with his department issued firearm, just a few feet away from an innocent little girl.
Of course, I'm sure the Rochester, NY Police department, including the new chief, Michael Ciminelli, will sweep this under the rug and downplay it.
Update: On Monday I was contacted by Rochester, NY Police Sgt. Kavanaugh of the department's Professional Standards Section (PSS). We spoke for over a half hour, and Sgt. Kavanaugh, who was very professional and courteous, told me that they are conducting an investigation into Sgt. DiFante's actions. Rochester, NY Police Lieutenant Aaron Springer treads lightly when I ask him about Sgt. David Difante
Update: I placed a call to Rochester, NY Police Chief Michael Ciminelli. I spoke with Karen, his secretary and told her I would like for the Chief to explain to me the RPD's policy when it comes to off-duty posession, handling, and overall safekeeping of department issued firearms. Karen said she would give the Chief the message and that he or one of his aides would get back to me. Note: While there's been a lot of talk and debate over the use of photos which people post on social media sites, i.e.; Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. it's really quite simple.
You don't have any reasonable expectation of privacy in photos or statements made on the Web.
It's a bit like posting a lost dog poster in a coffee shop or posting a 'For Sale' sign at a laundromat, or even putting out your photos on the coffee table.
You give up your right to claim intrusion when you invite public people to see them.
And, posting photos like the ones above, which were posted on Facebook under 'Public' settings, is inviting well, the public, to see them.
And share them. Simply put... If you don't want your photos getting out in the public domain... Don't put them out there for the world to see.
Rochester, NY Police Sgt. Dave DiFante's police cruiser, parked inside his home's garage.
By Davy V.
Many of you are familiar with my "Rochester, NY Taxpayer Dollars at Work", posts.
Most of them focus on exposing and documenting Rochester, NY Police officers, and other City of Rochester officials misusing taxpayer dollars.
For example, just recently I exposed several RPD cops who regularly leave their police cruisers running, for long periods of time, wasting gas, and taxpayer dollars, while frequenting a popular hangout, the Dunkin' Donuts located at 1691 East Avenue in Rochester.
Another misuse of taxpayer dollars I have talked about is the fact that many Rochester Police officers regularly take their police cruisers home, which includes driving to other counties.
RPD Sgt. DiFante's daughter brags on Instagram about her dad's miususe of taxpayer dollars.
Many of these same Rochester Police officers will then use their cruisers for personal use, i.e.; shopping, running errands, etc.
A lot of times these Rochester Police officers, knowing it won't look good for taxpayers to see their official police vehicles parked in front of their homes in their driveways every day, will pull their cruisers inside their garages, in order to draw less attention.
When they go to work, they simply hit their garage door opener, and back their cruiser out.
Getting proof, whether on photo or video, of this common practice by Rochester Police officers is not always easy.
But that just changed.
Thanks to Rochester, NY Police Sgt. David DiFante's daughter, who posted a photo on social media.
This weekend, a concerned taxpayer contacted me to tell me about the photo, which was posted by RPD Sgt. David DiFante's daughter on Instagram.
The photo shows Sgt. DiFante's Rochester, NY Police department tactical section police cruiser.
Parked inside their Batavia, NY home's garage.
As you can see in the photo, which according to the Instagram date stamp, was taken 7 weeks ago, Sgt. DiFante's daughter then posted the comment "Okay who stole the RPD car and stowed it in my garage?"
She then added the following 'hashtags' to the photo: "#rpd #cop #popo #tactical #dads #loveit #garage #awesome #ridetoschool #maybe"
Judging by her hashtag comments, "garage" "awesome", etc., Sgt. DiFante's daughter obviously doesn't understand that there's nothing "awesome" about wasting taxpayer dollars.
I wonder where she got the idea that her father's above the law, and blatant disregard for taxpayers hard earned money, was cool.
So there you have it Rochester, NY... your hard earned taxpayer dollars at work.
Update: On Monday I was contacted by Rochester, NY Police Sgt. Kavanaugh of the department's Professional Standards Section (PSS). We spoke for over a half hour, and Sgt. Kavanaugh, who was very professional and courteous, told me that they are conducting an investigation into Sgt. DiFante's actions.
Contact Rochester, NY Police Chief Michael Ciminelli and Mayor Lovely Warren and let them know how you feel about Rochester, NY Police officers misusing taxpayer dollars. RPD Chief Michael Ciminelli (585) 428-7033 Rochester, NY Mayor Lovely Warren (585) 428-7045
Note: While there's been a lot of talk and debate over the use of photos which people post on social media sites, i.e.; Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. it's really quite simple.
You don't have any reasonable expectation of privacy in photos or statements made on the Web.
It's a bit like posting a lost dog poster in a coffee shop or posting a 'For Sale' sign at a laundromat, or even putting out your photos on the coffee table.
You give up your right to claim intrusion when you invite public people to see them.
And, posting photos like the ones above, which were posted on Facebook under 'Public' settings, is inviting well, the public, to see them.
And share them. Simply put... If you don't want your photos getting out in the public domain... Don't put them out there for the world to see.
Photo of Rochester, NY Police officer Eric Ferguson, along with bullet casing, and card, donated by anonymous woman.
By Davy V.
I've seen and covered some pretty strange and disturbing incidents involving the Rochester, NY Police department, but this one may be one of the most bizarre.
Employees at a Goodwill store in Victor, NY, just outside of Rochester, made a baffling discovery while sorting through donated goods Wednesday afternoon.
An anonymous woman donated clothes, housewares, and a box.
Photos of Rochester, NY Police officer Eric Ferguson, including his U.S. Marine photo, bullet casing, donated by anonymous woman.
But it's what was inside that box that left the Goodwill employees puzzled.
The box contained several photos of Rochester, NY Police officer Eric Ferguson, including photos of Ferguson as a U.S. Marine.
Inside the box were also several condolences cards.
One of those cards was signed by Rochester, NY Police investigator Glen Hoff.
As you can see in the photo on the right, the card, made out to "Eric", expresses condolences for the passing of his father.
But it's not so much the condolences cards by themselves that as the employee said "creeped them out", it's what they found in a small yellow envelope.
A .38 caliber bullet casing.
"Smith & Wesson" .38 Caliber Bullet Casing and Envelope.
Affixed to the envelope, a white identification label with the words "Smith & Wesson Springfield, Massachussetts 12-08-05"
The Goodwill employee, who asked to remain anonymous, told me that a woman donated the photos and bullet casing, along with the clothes and houseware items.
The employee said the woman who dropped the goods off didn't even wait for a receipt.
Eric Ferguson Photos in U.S. Marine, RPD uniforms.
"We usually give people a receipt for tax write-off if they want one, but she said she didn't want one."
A search of the City of Rochester, NY payroll shows that officer Eric Ferguson is currently employed as a technician by the Rochester for the Rochester Police department.
Many questions surround this donation made by a mystery woman.
Why would someone donate photos of Rochester Police officer Eric Ferguson, along with condolence cards, and a bullet casing?
Why would some anonymous woman donate photos which are considered keepakes?
What is the connection, if any, between Rochester Police officer Eric Ferguson and the bullet casing?
Was the woman trying to send a message of some sort, by making the anonymous donation?
2011 Photo of Rochester, NY Police officer Eric Ferguson.
Who is this woman?
And speaking of that bullet casing, the Goodwill employee told me another employee took it home and is going to put it on a necklace, to wear.
As for the photos, the employee said they were thrown in the garbage.
So there you have it, photos of a Rochester cop, condolences cards, a bullet casing, and an anonymous female donor.
Rochester, NY Police cruiser E-90 partially blocking handicappede parking space.
Just three days after I exposed several Rochester, NY Police officers misusing taxpayer dollars by leaving their cruisers running at a Dunkin' Donuts located at 1691 East Avenue, for at least an hour, while they sat inside drinking coffee and eating donuts, the Rochester Police department continues to show that they don't care about their public image.
The photo on the right was sent to me by a concerned taxpayer who follows this blog.
A Popular RPD Hangout Dunkin' Donuts, 1691 East Avenue in Rochester, NY
It shows Rochester Police cruiser E-90, parked outside of the same Dunkin' Donuts store.
A closer look of the photo shows that the officer may have been in a rush to get the last manager's special boston cream, because he did a horrible parking job.
As you can see in the photo, the RPD cruiser is parked at an angle where it's actually taking up two spaces, including a handicapped parking space, which it's partially blocking.
Rochester, NY Police officers kill time while their cruiser is detailed at Delta Sonic car wash.
Those who follow me and my work exposing police misconduct and corruption, know I'm a strong advocate of the right to record, especially when it comes to photographing and video recording law enforcement officers performing their public servant duties.
Or in this case, not performing.
But rather sitting, killing time.
Taxpayer time.
Here's the story.
Thanks to a young woman who not only knows, but most importantly, is not afraid to exercise her first amendment right to record, we're once again able to get a glimpse into yet another example of Rochester, NY Police officers misusing taxpayer dollars.
The photo to the right shows two Rochester, NY Police officers, one reading magazine, the other staring down the young woman who took the photo, waiting for the cruiser to be detailed at a Delta Sonic located at 718 East Main Street, in Rochester, NY, Sunday, around noon.
So it's interesting how Delta Sonic employees had access to the Rochester Police cruiser.
Access to the shotgun (although usually locked), and the onboard computer, etc.
All while one officer reads the latest edition of Car and Driver magazine, and the other stares down a young woman.
Hmm....
In a city with an increasing homicide rate, including most recently, a triple homicide, a city which is ranked the 5th poorest city in the U.S., taxpayers should be disgusted that their hard earned dollars are paying for Rochester, NY Police officers to sit around reading magazines while having their police cruiser detailed.
There you have it, Rochester, NY, your hard earned taxpayer dollars at work. Click link below to see how Rochester, NY Police officers misuse taxpayer dollars, leaving their cruisers running while eating Dunkin' Donuts
