Local Authorities Condemn George Floyd's Death In Police Custody

Members of law enforcement across the Commonwealth are speaking out against the killing of George Floyd, the Minneapolis man who died after a police officer knelt on his neck for nine minutes. A video of the incident has gone viral and shows Floyd telling saying he can't breathe.

Boston Police Department Commissioner William Gross tweeted his condolences to the Floyd family on Thursday and said he supported the Minneapolis police chief's decision to fire the four officers involved.

"Mr. Floyd’s death is a damned SHAME! God Bless him," Gross tweeted.

Gross has been joined by several police departments in the Bay State. The Auburn Police Department retweeted Rep. Tim Whelan's post that showed the graphic image of Floyd on the ground with the officer's knee on his neck and a caption that read in part, "There is no excuse for this. You don’t treat a dog like this, never mind a fellow human being."

Auburn police added its own caption that read, "Agree 100%. This should have NEVER happened."

Chelsea Police Chief Brian Kyes tweeted a Boston Globe article where he criticized the use of force and told the paper, "Necks are out of bounds completely."

While the four officers involved have been fired, Floyd's family and activists across the country are demanding they be charged in his death.

Canton Police Chief Ken Berkowitz tweeted the officers should be convicted of murder. Berkowitz said police must be part of the collective that promotes racial equity.

Minneapolis police identified the four officers as Derek Chauvin, who was caught on video with his knee on Floyd, Thomas Lane, Tou Thao and J. Alexander Kueng.

Charges have not been brought against them, but an investigation has been opened that includes state authorities and is being led by the FBI.

Chauvin was the subject of a dozen complaints in his 19-years with the Minneapolis Police Department, according to NBC.