Message from the Chief – My letter to officers on the death of George Floyd.
Like you, I was shocked and horrified this week by video of the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis Police Officer. I serve with honor, in an honorable profession filled with men and women working hard every day to do the right thing. I believe in justice and standing for what is right. No one is above the law.
This week, I sent the following letter to all employees of the Seattle Police Department reminding them of their duty to our community and of how far we’ve come as a department.
To the Men and Women of the Seattle Police Department:
I wanted to take a moment to address the tragic murder of George Floyd by the Minneapolis Police Department officer.
In the video, we hear Mr. Floyd’s repeated calls for help. We hear him say over and over again that he cannot breathe.
The video is upsetting, disappointing, and infuriating. It does not show the policing we know. Policing is an honorable profession filled with honorable public servants. We are committed to protecting life and serving the community.
Because of the Seattle Police Department’s high level of training, our commitment to de-escalation, and our track record of limiting the use of force, I have confidence that something like this would not occur in our city.
Especially troubling about the video, was the officers who stood by while Mr. Floyd called for help.
As a police officer, you have a sworn duty to uphold the law and do what is right. We prioritize the sanctity of life in every situation.
If you see a co-worker doing something that is unsafe, out of policy, unacceptable, or illegal, you need to act. This goes beyond reporting. If someone’s life is unnecessarily in danger, it is your responsibility to intervene.
We each have a right to go home at the end of the day, but we also have a responsibility to ensure that others enjoy that same right. We must hold ourselves accountable if we are to maintain the trust of the community who grants us the privilege to serve them.
I know it can be challenging to see these incidents, even when they do not happen here. You all should be proud of how we provide police services here in Seattle.
Thank you for all that you do, every day. Stay safe.
Carmen Best
Also from CNN: Surveillance video does not support police claims that George Floyd resisted arrest.
Lawyer for George Floyd’s survivors calls for congressional action
Seattle Action Network 