The Canandaigua Police Department has issued a formal statement responding to public criticism surrounding a body-worn camera video of a November police encounter involving an autistic father and his young son.
In a letter dated Jan. 14 and signed by Chief of Police Mathew A. Nielsen, the department said it became aware of the video after it began circulating widely on social media and drawing significant attention. Officials characterized the encounter as a brief interaction initiated out of concern for a child’s welfare.
According to the statement, the officer involved observed an adult with a child who had urinated in his pants while walking in public. Police said the officer made contact to assess whether the child was under appropriate supervision and requested to speak with the adult away from the child in an effort to maintain privacy and dignity.
The department said the officer determined during the interaction that the individual was not intoxicated or impaired, that the circumstances were related to a developmental condition, and that the child was safe and properly cared for. Police said the interaction was then concluded…