LOCAL

Brockton-area police chiefs respond to George Floyd killing, protests

Marc Larocque
The Enterprise
Brockton Police Chief Emmanuel Gomes speaks to the black community during a meeting held by the Brockton Area Branch NAACP at Messiah Baptist Church on Feb. 24, 2020.

BROCKTON — The national unrest over the death of George Floyd reached the Stoughton police station on Sunday afternoon, when a crowd of peaceful protesters showed up.

But instead of opposing the protest, Stoughton police accommodated the event and the police chief expressed support for the cause. While sharing condolences for the Floyd family, Stoughton Police Chief Donna McNamara said it was not only wrong for a Minneapolis police officer to kneel on Floyd's neck for nearly nine minutes, but it was also wrong that his fellow police officers failed to intervene.

"We condemn the actions of the Minneapolis officers that stood by and did nothing to prevent this tragic ending," said McNamara. "What happened to Mr. Floyd undermines the public’s trust of law enforcement all across the United States. Let’s be clear, there is no police defensive tactics training that authorizes kneeling on someone’s neck for any period of time."

Police chiefs from communities in the Brockton area are speaking out against the police-involved death of Floyd, while vowing to provide law enforcement services that treat everyone equally and fairly. They also warned against judging all police based on the actions of others.

"The killing of George Floyd sickens me, as it sickens all good police officers who have chosen a profession where the protection and safeguarding of life, and putting the lives of others ahead of our own, is paramount," said Easton Police Chief Gary Sullivan. "I denounce the actions of these police officers and am mindful that the actions of a few reflect not only on the many but also reflect on the failings of the system."

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The Easton chief also sought to reassure the community that his officers and others throughout Massachusetts are not trained to pin suspects down by the neck using their knees, or otherwise apply pressure to a prone suspect's neck or throat.

"All persons – those who call for help and those suspected of breaking the law – are to be treated like human beings," Sullivan said. "I remain proud to be a police officer, but the women and men of the Easton Police Department are mindful that we are only effective as a public safety organization if we have the faith and support of our citizens."

In Bridgewater, Police Chief Christopher Delmonte said he's not encouraging people to take to the streets to protest. But Delmonte said "we do support the anger and frustration." Delmonte also said the police officers involved in Floyd's death should be held accountable for their actions.

"Personally, I share that frustration and anger," Delmonte said. "We're thinking of the family of the man who was tragically murdered out there. We work very hard to earn the trust and support of our communities, only to see that effort and work set back years because of an incident like this."

Delmonte also said "we can't allow" the rioters and looters to have their way, using the protests surrounding the death of Floyd as an excuse to steal, start fires, vandalize and commit violence against police. Delmonte said the number of rioters is a very small percentage of the protesters, just like bad police officers make up a very small percentage of law enforcement in this country.

"It's a very small group when you think about the overwhelming numbers of law-abiding people," Delmonte said. "These people have to be held accountable. Burning and looting is not protest."

West Bridgewater Police Chief Vic Flaherty said the death of Floyd was "truly outrageous," but that most people know that the actions of the Minneapolis officers don't reflect the behavior of police in Massachusetts. Flaherty said his department works hard to earn trust, by doing "community policing" and forging personal connections with town residents. Floyd said officer training and accountability is also important to prevent potential abuse.

"If there's a complaint about an officer being heavy-handed or violating a policy, we look into it quickly, discipline and terminate, if necessary," Flaherty said. "You want the community to defend you. It takes a lot of work to get to that point. It takes a lot of trust and accountability. They see when an issue comes up, you resolve it the right way."

Brockton Police Chief Emanuel Gomes said a police department can only succeed with the trust of the community, and his department is working to advance training in de-escalation and non-lethal techniques. Earlier this year, Gomes took part in a community meeting with the Brockton Area Branch NAACP to address claims of police mistreatment. Gomes said his department aims to be proactive and transparent in response to the concerns of city residents.

Gomes said he was "sickened" to see the video of Floyd's death.

"All good police officers who live up to their oath every day are sickened by what happened to Mr. Floyd," Gomes said. "There is nothing in that disturbing video that is consistent with police training or the proper use of force. The criminal actions of a few reflect on all police officers. One of the failings of the system is not rooting out those who should not be police officers swiftly. ... I wanted to make this statement to reaffirm our commitment to our citizens.  Let’s work together side by side."