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Police Across US Speak Out Against Minneapolis Custody Death

Associated Press

   LOS ANGELES - Murder.Brutality. Reprehensible.Indefensible. Police
   nationwide, in unequivocal and unprecedented language, have condemned
   the actions of Minneapolis police in the custody death of a handcuffed
   black man who cried for help as an officer knelt on his neck, pinning
   him to the pavement for at least eight minutes.
   But some civil rights advocates say their denunciations are empty words
   without meaningful reform behind them.
   Authorities say George Floyd was detained Monday because he matched the
   description of someone who tried to pay with a counterfeit bill at a
   convenience store, and the 46-year-old resisted arrest. A bystander's
   disturbing video shows Officer Derek Chauvin, who is white, kneeling on
   Floyd's neck, even as Floyd begs for air and slowly stops talking and
   moving.
   "There is no need to see more video," Chattanooga, Tennessee, Police
   Chief David Roddy tweeted Wednesday. "There no need to wait to see how
   'it plays out'. There is no need to put a knee on someone's neck for
   NINE minutes. There IS a need to DO something. If you wear a badge and
   you don't have an issue with this ... turn it in."
   The reaction from some law enforcement stands in stark contrast to
   their muted response or support for police after other in-custody
   fatalities. Sheriffs and police chiefs have strongly criticized the
   Minneapolis officer on social media and praised the city's police chief
   for his quick dismissal of four officers at the scene. Some even called
   for them to be criminally charged.
   "I am deeply disturbed by the video of Mr. Floyd being murdered in the
   street with other officers there letting it go on," Polk County,
   Georgia, Sheriff Johnny Moats wrote on Facebook. "I can assure
   everyone, me or any of my deputies will never treat anyone like that as
   long as I'm Sheriff. This kind of brutality is terrible and it needs to
   stop. All Officers involved need to be arrested and charged
   immediately. Praying for the family."

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