Michigan Sheriff's Association Issues Statement On Floyd Protests

MICHIGAN — After four nights of protest over the death of George Floyd and police brutality, the Michigan Sheriff's Association issued its own statement on the issues stemming the demonstrations. Floyd is black man who died last week while in custody of Minneapolis police.

"The Michigan Sheriff's Association (MSA) condemns the actions leading to the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis Police officers. Officers are expected to protect the communities they serve. These officers have degraded, disparaged, and discredited our profession and broken trust with those we serve — our residents and communities. It was bad policing, and we are deeply disturbed by those images. We want Michiganders to know that these kinds of actions will not be accepted or tolerated.

MSA seeks every day to further the profession and professionalism of the Office of Sheriff. As local leaders and local law enforcement officers, we expect our officers and staff to be professional, respectful, selfless, honest, and honorable. Policework is calling, and it is good and noble work. "

The statement comes after two Southeast Michigan sheriffs issued statements on the issues last week.

Protesters in some areas of the state have reportedly been met with teargas and rubber bullets. People claiming to be protesting the death of Floyd broke into a Chase Bank and turned over a car in Lansing.

Some violence prompted President Donald Trump to tell state leaders to "dominate" protesters, leading Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to issue her own statement in response Monday.

Monday night in Troy, police arrested a 68-year-old man who ran his car into a protester.