Saratoga Springs Decides Not to Hire Former Troy Police Officer Involved in Shooting of Black Man
The city of Saratoga Springs made headlines when it decided against hiring Jarrod Iler, a former Troy police officer involved in the shooting of Dahmeek McDonald, a Black man. The incident, which occurred several years ago, saw McDonald being shot by Iler after allegedly driving towards him and refusing to stop.
While McDonald survived the shooting, the city of Troy settled with him, despite Iler not facing charges. Saratoga Springs Public Safety Commissioner Tim Coll cited “numerous obstacles” in the hiring process and acknowledged the community’s concerns, opting against Iler’s employment.
The decision drew strong condemnation from Lexis Figuereo, the founder of Saratoga Black Lives Matter, who labeled it a “slap in the face” to the community. Figuereo questioned why such a consideration would even arise, particularly amidst ongoing controversies within the Saratoga Springs Police Department.
Despite efforts by Black Lives Matter members to challenge Iler’s potential hiring, including reaching out to Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner for legislative support, the community remains deeply dissatisfied.
Adding to the complexity of the situation is a report from Attorney General Letitia James, which found that Saratoga Springs violated the constitutional rights of BLM protesters during the summer.
In response, Figuereo announced plans to file a federal civil rights lawsuit and explore other legal avenues. This development underscores broader concerns about police hiring practices and community relations, particularly in light of ongoing efforts to address systemic issues within law enforcement agencies.
Despite discussions aimed at fostering dialogue and building bridges between city officials and community leaders, Figuereo criticized the handling of the situation. He emphasized the need for meaningful action to address systemic issues and ensure accountability and transparency within law enforcement agencies.
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As the controversy surrounding Jarrod Iler’s potential hiring continues, it serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing communities in confronting issues of racial justice and police accountability.