Chief Jones on George Floyd’s Death: ‘I Am Also Frustrated’

MCPD Chief Marcus Jones

In the wake of several national and local protests against police brutality and racism, Montgomery County Police Chief Marcus Jones issued a statement on the death of George Floyd.

In the statement Jones said he “and the rest of the Montgomery County Department of Police, stand with those seeking peaceful discourse at the local and national level on race relations, policing and reform.”

Here’s a look at the statement in its entirety:

I was saddened and angered to watch the video circulated recently which depicted the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.   To watch a person’s life be slowly and callously taken away before our very eyes shakes the core of committed and dedicated police officers.  I am also frustrated.  I am frustrated because I know this incident will be a brush by which our entire profession will be painted and it was an inhumane act.  The acts of these officers in Minneapolis are not representative of our profession and they are certainly not representative of the values of our department as a whole.”

“Today, I and the Major Cities Chiefs Association, which our department is a member, has released an open statement which I have penned and signed to help facilitate healing, learning, listening and then dialogue, particularly in communities of color.”

“Myself, and the rest of the Montgomery County Department of Police, stand with those seeking peaceful discourse at the local and national level on race relations, policing and reform.”

Jones also signed off on a letter from The Major Cities Chiefs Association.

“Accountability must continue to be the cornerstone of tangible and substantive change and ethical policing,” the letter, which is signed by 47 police chiefs in the United States and Canada, says.

MCCA members pen open letter acknowledging the disparate impact & outcomes policing has had on African Americans, ppl of color & the disenfranchised #JusticeForGeorge pic.twitter.com/cg9oU9lI4H

— Major Cities Chiefs Association (@MjrCitiesChiefs) June 1, 2020

About Deirdre Byrne

Deirdre Byrne is a social media coordinator for Montgomery Community Media. She can be reached at dbyrne@mymcmedia.org or on twitter at @DeirdreByrneMCM.

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