The Lincoln Police Department has released an official statement regarding the incident in Minneapolis in which 46-year-old Goerge Floyd, a black man, died a short time after being apprehended by local authorities while investigating a forgery.
The full statement can be viewed below:
LINCOLN POLICE DEPARTMENT
575 South 10th Street, Lincoln NE 68508 402-441-7204
FOR RELEASE: May 29th, 2020 FOR MORE INFO: Erin Spilker, Public Information Officer, 402-441-7226
Jeff Bliemeister, Chief of Police, 402-441-7238
Response to the Death of George Floyd in Minneapolis
The Lincoln Police Department wishes to extend its deepest condolences to the family and friends of George Floyd.
This incident has fractured not only the relationship between Minneapolis residents and their police department, but potentially every police-community relationship in the country.
Chief Bliemeister has reviewed the available video of the Minneapolis police officers involved in this incident. Notably, the tactics witnessed in the video are in direct contrast to our use of control training and policies.
But more importantly, the actions of those officers violate our oath to protect, serve, and uphold the dignity of all residents.
Our policies demand that our officers intervene when they witness another employee violating our procedures and values, including violations of our use of control tactics.
Police misconduct—especially that which results in injury or death—is the greatest threat to the public’s trust in the police.
The policing profession cannot exist without community partnerships, and community partnerships cannot exist without mutual respect, dignity, and dialogue involving all members of a community. We believe police departments must take the first step in establishing a respectful and collaborative relationship with their communities.
Our department will continue to work tirelessly to maintain and improve our relationship with the Lincoln community, and in particular, our communities of color.
Fair and impartial policing is the driving principle that guides our decisions on hiring, training, supervising, and holding officers accountable for their actions. It is also the principle that guides our decisions involving policing strategies and use of control tactics.
The Lincoln Police Department is committed to serving every member of our community. We will strive to ensure that dignity and respect define every interaction between our police officers and our community members, even during incidents involving use of control and arrest.
A widely circulated video shows a white police officer kneeling on Floyd’s neck and him begging for relief a short time before his death.
Floyd’s death has kicked off several riots in Minneapolis and has inspired protests across the country.
Former Lincoln Police Chief, Tom Casady, also made his feelings known concerning the incident.
Here’s my take: within 24 hours someone should have had the presence of mind to simply arrest the officer for criminal homicide—just like anyone else. An arrest is not a conviction. He’s still entitled to proof beyond a reasonable doubt. But he should be treated like anyone else.
— Tom Casady (@TCasady304) May 29, 2020