The West Seneca police officer who was under internal investigation for his response to a call at the Planned Parenthood Care of WNY clinic on Aug. 14 has resigned, the West Seneca Police Department said in a statement Friday.
The officer's name has not been released.
A posting on social media soon after from a Planned Parenthood staffer had said that police were called when someone who believed his partner was being treated in the clinic began kicking the door after he was told to leave.
The unnamed staffer wrote: “An officer with the West Seneca Police Department responded to the call and, upon seeing a Black Lives Matter sign in our window, asked if the sign belonged to PPCWNY (Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York). When staff confirmed the sign was ours, this officer proceeded to berate our staff and left after refusing to respond to the call.”
The posting added that the staffer reported the incident to a West Seneca police sergeant, but “was not satisfied with his response.” The staffer then noted that the matter would be taken to the police chief.
On Monday, the officer was suspended. The investigation was still underway when he resigned.
"Although this is the case, we can say the portion of the investigation that was undertaken did reveal the officer’s response was well outside the scope of training, and expectations of conduct for our officers," police said in an emailed statement to media.
It continued: "The West Seneca Police Department strives to serve all members of the public equally and impartially, with the highest ethical and professional standards. It appears that we missed the mark in this particular case."
In a statement released Friday, Planned Parenthood thanked the West Seneca Police department for "handling this issue with the seriousness it deserves."
"Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York remains committed to the Movement for Black Lives and stands in solidarity with those working to dismantle the systemic racism that touches every aspect of our lives," the statement continued. "We look forward to strengthening our relationship with the West Seneca Police Department."