25-1354 : Wyatt - Attorney General's Finding on BPD

This agenda item, 25-1354, concerns findings by the State Attorney General regarding alleged misconduct by Buffalo Police Officer Justin Ayala. The Attorney General's office reviewed 14 complaints against Ayala between October 2021 and August 2025, focusing on five incidents. These incidents include allegations of excessive force, such as punching a restrained individual and pepper-spraying a handcuffed suspect, as well as using offensive language towards a minor and her mother.

The Attorney General's office also criticized the Buffalo Police Department's internal investigations, stating that the department wrongly exonerated Ayala in several cases. Specifically, it was noted that police officials allegedly failed to review critical body-camera footage before clearing Ayala in one instance. Officer Ayala remains on the force and earned $113,300 last year, with nearly $50,000 in overtime.

This is the third Buffalo officer identified by the State Attorney General for a pattern of misconduct. The Attorney General has recommended retraining and discipline for Ayala, taking his history into account, and has requested a response from the police department by September 18th. The item has been tabled multiple times since July 2025, with the latest status indicating it remains tabled.