Wakefield Leaders Issue Statement On George Floyd's Death

WAKEFIELD, MA – Wakefield town leaders on Tuesday condemned the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Town Council Chair Ann McGonigle Santos, Police Chief Steven Skory, Town Administrator Steve Maio, School Superintendent Doug Lyons and School Committee Chair Aimee Purcell released a joint statement Tuesday, vowing to continue to practice the "six pillars of 21st century policing."

Read their message below:

As leaders for the Town of Wakefield, we denounce the egregious actions of four members of the Minneapolis Police Department that resulted in the death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020. The callous disregard shown for Mr. Floyd by the officers was appalling and leaves everyone, including police officers, shocked, sickened, and infuriated. Understandably, protests and demonstrations have taken place throughout the nation. Protestors have raised genuine and important concerns regarding policing policies and practices, ranging from use of force, bias in policing, police accountability, and transparency. Unfortunately, some protests have devolved into acts of violence and destruction by a small percentage of those attending, which only serves to distract from these extraordinarily vital concerns.

As President Obama noted: “It falls on all of us, regardless of our race or station -- including the majority of men and women in law enforcement who take pride in doing their tough job the right way, every day -- to work together to create a 'new normal' in which the legacy of bigotry and unequal treatment no longer infects our institutions or our hearts."

The Wakefield Police Department thoroughly embraces the six pillars of 21st century policing and remains committed to professional conduct, unbiased policing, and procedural justice for all people. Our officers are dedicated to the community they serve and work tirelessly to earn and keep the trust of our citizens. It is a priority for the Town Council, Town Administrator, Wakefield School Department, and Wakefield Police Department to continue to treat all our residents with fairness, respect, and dignity.