Cops cleared in fatal shooting of off-duty officer

WHITE PLAINS – A Westchester County grand jury cleared four police officers, who shot and killed an off-duty Mount Vernon city police officer while in White Plains in January.

Officer Christopher Ridley, 23, had apparently been trying to break up a fight among others outside a county social services building when the on-duty cops rushed over. In the course of events, Ridley was shot dead.

“The grand jury has found that the officers acted in a manner that was proper based on what was known at the time,” said County Executive Andrew Spano. “That said, the best way to honor the memory of this brave, young man is to make sure that we take a hard look at training and procedure to make sure this never, ever happens again.”

Spano said he has already put together an internal working group of experts to examine procedures in the county police training as well as what is taught to recruits at the police academy.

The training work group will receive the use of force training and tactics at the Westchester Police Academy, said county Public Safety Commissioner Thomas Belfiore.

“I know that the grand jury’s decision brings no solace to a devastated family and community,” said Mount Vernon Mayor Clinton Young, Jr. “But, we will continue to stand firmly with the Ridley family and our police department to ensure that such tragedies never happen again.”