Malden Police Chief Speaks On George Floyd's Death

MALDEN, MA – Malden Police Chief Kevin Molis spoke out Saturday against the actions of the Minneapolis police officers involved in the death of George Floyd.

"On a personal and professional level, I am admittedly repulsed in saying that it was a police officer because in my opinion the one presently accused of murder and those who were present and wearing badges failed not only as police officers...they also failed to act as human beings," Molis said.

Police departments across the country, including in Boston, have expressed condolences to the Floyd family and indicated support for the Minneapolis police chief's decision to fire the four officers involved.

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.

Chauvin was the subject of a dozen complaints in his 19 years with the Minneapolis Police Department, according to NBC. He was charged with third degree murder Friday.

"When a Malden cop kneels it is to give lifesaving CPR, it is to reach down and help someone who needs to be lifted up, it is to look into the eyes of a child in need of comfort and support...and now we kneel...we kneel in prayer...in the hope that the God that we worship and pray to in many different ways, words and languages will hear our prayers for healing and unity," Molis said.

Read Molis's full statement here or watch it below: