Fresno police chief speaks out about Minneapolis officers. ‘They should be held accountable.’
Fresno Police Chief Andy Hall on Thursday took to Fresno Police Department’s Facebook page to speak out against the Minneapolis officers who killed George Floyd by kneeling on his neck.
Four Minneapolis police officers were fired after Floyd’s death, which sparked protests in the city and made national news. In graphic videos posted to social media, Floyd is heard telling the officers, “I cannot breathe.”
Hall said the videos troubled him, and he felt compelled to speak out. He said he believes trust and partnership with the community is vital and the cornerstone of the law enforcement profession.
“This officer’s actions and those officers that stood by and watched the death of George Floyd violated the oath of the more than 800,000 men and women who dedicate their lives to serve their communities,” Hall said. “I am angry over the actions of these officers and they should be held accountable. The behavior demonstrated by the Minneapolis officers erodes the trust of our profession.”
Floyd’s death saddened Hall, he said. He said he prays God brings comfort to Floyd’s family and friends and continues to provide leadership and guidance to the Minneapolis police chief.
“The actions of these officers should not and cannot diminish the relationship we have with each other,” Hall wrote in the post.
Hall is not alone in speaking out. Other police chiefs across the nation also reacted with disgust to Floyd’s death and sent similar messages of reassurance to their communities.
Hall was sworn in as police chief in August after working for Fresno Police Department for 40 years. He will be forced to retire by a city retirement program in spring 2021.
When sworn in, Hall noted that he supports community policing and wants to find ways to prevent young people from turning to gangs.
“First off, I believe in community policing. I’m a big believer. It’s something we do every day,” he said at the time. “We must continue to develop programs and opportunities to work with our youth. I do know one thing: we cannot arrest our way out of this problem.”