SARATOGA SPRINGS POLICE DEPARTMENT 5 LAKE AVENUEGREGORY J. VEITCH SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY12866-2298Chief of Police 518-584-1800 Fax 518-584-1744 Thursday, August 13, 2015 SSPD Statement Re: Settlement in Pepper Spray Case Reached FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: The City of Saratoga Springs has reached a settlement in the potential civil actions arising from the arrest of Adam Rupeka on May 16, 2015 during which Mr. Rupeka was sprayed with pepper spray by ex-police officer Nathan Baker.The civil issues have been resolved between the City of Saratoga Springs, Mr. Rupeka, and ex-officer Baker to the mutual satisfaction of all parties. Today the police department is releasing police reports and booking room video related to the arrest of Mr. Rupeka and the actions of Police Officer Nathan Baker pursuant to pending FOIL requests.The initial incident was video recorded by Mr. Rupeka and that video has been posted to various social mediawebsites.AllpolicedocumentsandvideoswillbepostedtotheSaratogaSpringsPolice Department website, www.saratogapolice.org. The actions of Officer Baker on May 16, 2015 led to an internal investigation that resulted in the suspension of Officer Baker without pay.Prior to a scheduled civil service disciplinary hearing, Nathan Baker resigned his position as a police officer.His resignation was effective J une 4, 2015. The actions that are depicted in the traffic stop and booking room videos of May 16, 2015 are not consistent with the policies, training or core values of the Saratoga Springs Police Department.No policy or training of the police department includes the use of pepper spray without warning on non-violentresistingsubjects,ortheuseofphysicalforce,verbalthreatsorthepointingofaTaserat handcuffed, non-violent individuals who are in our custody.All officers of the Saratoga Springs Police Department are responsible for the care and treatment of anyone in their custody. There has been considerable commentary, and I have heard personally, from many citizens that believe Mr. Rupeka got what he deserved and that his actions led directly to the situation that he found himselfin.Anadultmanwhodeliberatelydrivesaroundlookingtoantagonizepoliceofficersby making juvenile and obscene hand gestures should certainly have his own actions evaluated and his own responsibility for the event examined.While there may be some validity to this point of view, my SARATOGA SPRINGS POLICE DEPARTMENT 5 LAKE AVENUEGREGORY J. VEITCH SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY12866-2298Chief of Police 518-584-1800 Fax 518-584-1744 concern is with the actions and behaviors of the members of the Saratoga Springs Police Department, not Mr. Rupeka. The job of a police officer is not to drive around delivering attitude adjustments to those citizens whoshowunmistakablesignsofbeinginneedofone.Manytimesofficersareconfrontedby individuals who are deliberately seeking a confrontation with the police for any number of reasons or for no reason at all.Police officers are routinely subjected to insulting, obscene, offensive and harassing behaviorthatwouldnot,andshouldnot,betoleratedbymembersofthepubliciftheywereso unfortunate as to be subjected to it by another citizen.Yet police officers must hold themselves to a higher standard and refrain from reacting in a manner that is not consistent with the highest standards of professional policing.There is no doubt that remaining calm and professional in the face of offensive behavior directed at an officer can be difficult indeed. The standard by which we judge the use of force by police officers is whether or not the force used is objectively reasonable within the parameters of the United States Constitution, as well as any applicable laws, court decisions and department policies. In this case, as in all police internal investigations, a number of factors are considered prior to any disciplinary action being taken.The seriousness of the event, the applicable laws and department policies, prior training, and the work history of the employee are all considered while the investigation is conducted in accordance with all labor laws and contractual obligations.In the Saratoga Springs Police Department,internalinvestigationsareconductedbysupervisorypersonnel.Minorinfractionsare handledbytheChiefofPolicewhilesuspensionsandterminationdecisionsaremadebythe Commissioner of Public Safety following recommendation by the Chief of Police. Commissioner Mathiesen has made it clear to me that he believes integrity, professionalism, and accountability are of the highest priority.Assistant Chief J ohn Catone and I have stressed to all officers of this department that we should strive to treat everyone with dignity and respect, and that our focus will remain on being a professional and accountable police department.

Policeagenciesrunbesthowever,whenindividualpoliceofficersofallrankstakeitupon themselvestoadheretothehigheststandardsofconductanddemandthattheirpeersdothesame.Despite all of the negativity and evil an officer confronts during the course of a career, each officer always chooses his or her own actions and reactions in every situation, even in the most antagonistic of encounters.A police department that merely pays lip service to core values such as respect and integrity will soon find itself without the support of the people that they swore they would serve and protect. SARATOGA SPRINGS POLICE DEPARTMENT 5 LAKE AVENUEGREGORY J. VEITCH SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY12866-2298Chief of Police 518-584-1800 Fax 518-584-1744 While it is never pleasant to investigate police officers and administer negative discipline in a police department, it is sometimes necessary to ensure that current police officers, future police officers andthepublicunderstandthatwe holdourselvestohighstandardsofbehaviorwhereintegrityand respect are at the center of all of our actions.We must demand of ourselves professional, accountable and respectful policing, at all times, without compromise. ThemembersoftheSaratogaSpringsarededicated,professionalpoliceofficers.Westrive every day to prevent crime before it happens and to locate and arrest the offenders when a crime does occur.As human beings, we will sometimes fall short of the standards we set for ourselves and what the public expects from us.When we do, we must take responsibility for our actions and then re-dedicate ourselves to being a respectful and professional department.The public deserves nothing less.

Gregory J . Veitch Chief of Police Saratoga Springs Police Department