Six staff members of Rochester Police Accountability Board have been laid off following a court ruling that significantly limits the agency’s authority, officials confirmed.

The layoffs, announced Friday by Executive Director Lesli Myers-Small, come in response to a March 20 decision by a New York appellate court that upheld earlier rulings stripping the board of key investigative and disciplinary powers.

In a statement, Myers-Small said the decision to reduce staff was driven by financial and operational realities after the ruling.

“This course of action was determined to be necessary to preserve the agency’s long-term financial stability and organizational alignment,” she said.

The court determined that the board does not have the legal authority to investigate police misconduct, subpoena officers, or recommend discipline—powers that had been central to its mission since voters approved its creation in 2019.

The ruling--which comes after a more public feud between the PAB and RPD--stems from a legal challenge brought by the Rochester Police Locust Club, which argued the board’s authority conflicted with state law and the union’s collective bargaining agreement with the city.

As a result, the PAB’s role has been reduced primarily to reviewing community complaints and referring them to the Rochester Police Department, as well as issuing reports and engaging in community education.

The six laid-off employees were part of the board’s investigative functions—work that has been largely curtailed by the court’s decision.

Despite the setbacks, Myers-Small said the agency intends to continue operating in a reduced capacity while pursuing legal avenues to restore its original powers.

“Our commitment remains unchanged, and our mission does not end here,” she said, adding that the board will continue advocating for systemic change and serving as a voice for residents.

Since opening in 2022, the PAB has received more than 700 complaints alleging police misconduct, underscoring what officials describe as ongoing community demand for oversight.

The future of the board remains uncertain as legal challenges continue and city leaders weigh how to sustain the agency without its original authority.