“Police officers share the shock and outrage” over the murder of George Floyd, Chief Michael Sarlo of the East Hampton Town Police Department said in a statement read by Supervisor Peter Van Scoyoc during the town board’s meeting on Thursday and posted on the Department's Facebook page.
Floyd’s murder on Memorial Day at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer as three other officers stood by, which sparked protests across the country was “an assault not just on Mr. Floyd and people of color, but on the equity and trust we work so hard as a department to develop,” the chief’s statement said.
People “are rightfully distressed and outraged” over Mr. Floyd’s murder at the hands of uniformed police officers, the chief said. “We recognize how the images of this injustice can challenge the trust in law enforcement,” but the town’s police remain committed to promoting values and principles that have earned the community’s trust, he said.
The Police Department also commits to “justice and fairness in law enforcement, while understanding there is no perfect officer or department, so we must always continue to evaluate and improve,” the statement said. “We understand and appreciate the voices being raised in peaceful protest around our great nation, and we are honored by the peaceful show of unity here on the East End.” The department also calls for “an end to the continuous assaults of our fellow officers who are struggling through dangerous and impossible circumstances.”
In 2015 and 2016, the department mandated police officers receive training in bias-free policing, “and every new recruit receives this training during his time at the Suffolk Police Academy,” the statement said. “We bring leaders and advocates of minority communities into our training sessions and we share information and ideas, and we listen to their concerns.”
“We will continue to stand up for justice, fairness and equality,” the statement concluded. “A community united cannot be divided.”
Thursday’s meeting began with a moment of silence for Mr. Floyd and followed remarks by the supervisor at Tuesday’s meeting, during which he recited the names of several African-Americans whose murder shocked the nation. “Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin. Murdered. Why does this still happen? How have we fallen so low?” he said on Tuesday. “We must all take responsibility and ensure that needed change comes now! We must stake claim to the promise of our democracy. No person's rights or freedom will ever be secure unless and until all persons have equal protection under the law.”