Police Chief 'Saddened And Angered' Over George Floyd's Death

GAITHERSBURG, MD — Montgomery County Police Chief Marcus Jones released a statement Monday on George Floyd's death, saying he was "saddened and angered" to watch the now-viral video of the incident, which took place in Minneapolis on Memorial Day.

"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," Jones, who is black, said.

Millions of people have watched the video, which depicts a handcuffed Floyd pleading for air as a white Minneapolis cop knelt on his neck for nearly eight minutes. The officer, identified as Derek Chauvin, was later fired from his job and charged with third-degree murder.

Thousands of people across the country took to the streets to protest police brutality and Floyd's death.

In his letter, Jones called the incident "inhumane," but expressed frustration at people whom he said paints his profession in a bad light over a few bad actors.

"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," Jones said. "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."

Jones said the department stands with protesters "seeking peaceful discourse" on race relations, policing, and reform.

The Major Cities Chiefs Association, which the county's department is a member, has also released a statement "to help facilitate healing, learning, listening and then dialogue, particularly in communities of color," Jones, one of the signatories, said.

Click here to read the letter.

SEE ALSO:

• Demonstrators In Germantown Protest Death Of George Floyd
• Montgomery Police Condemn Floyd's Death, Plan For Protests