SARATOGA SPRINGS

POLICE DEPARTMENT
5 LAKE AVENUE
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY 12866-2298
518-584-1800
Fax 518-584-1744

GREGORY J. VEITCH
Chief of Police

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
media websites. All police documents and videos will be posted to the Saratoga Springs Police
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 June 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 nonviolent resisting subjects, or the use of physical force, verbal threats or the pointing of a Taser at
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
himself in. An adult man who deliberately drives around looking to antagonize police officers by
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 AVENUE
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY 12866-2298
518-584-1800
Fax 518-584-1744

GREGORY J. VEITCH
Chief of Police

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
who show unmistakable signs of being in need of one. Many times officers are confronted by
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
behavior that would not, and should not, be tolerated by members of the public if they were so
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, internal investigations are conducted by supervisory personnel. Minor infractions are
handled by the Chief of Police while suspensions and termination decisions are made by the
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 John 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.
Police agencies run best however, when individual police officers of all ranks take it upon
themselves to adhere to the highest standards of conduct and demand that their peers do the same.
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 AVENUE
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY 12866-2298
518-584-1800
Fax 518-584-1744

GREGORY J. VEITCH
Chief of Police

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
and the public understand that we hold ourselves to high standards of behavior where integrity and
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.
The members of the Saratoga Springs are dedicated, professional police officers. We strive
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