The National Black Police Association Statement on the death of George Floyd

The National Black Police Association (NBPA) released the following statement on the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers:

The National Black Police Association (NBPA) is revolted and dismayed at the May 25, 2020 killing of George Floyd while in the custody of officers of the Minneapolis Police Department, and specifically at the knees of Officer Derek Chauvin and under the watchful eyes of other officers. His death was unnecessary and grossly negligent. The question becomes the true intent of the officers, and the ongoing law enforcement conversation surrounding the preventable deaths of Black citizens, which is often an aspect of policing that goes unresolved in response to these deadly incidents.

On May 25, Minneapolis officers responded to a call for a suspected forgery. The police report says that Mr. Floyd was approached as he sat on top of a car and he “appeared to be under the influence.” They report that when asked to step from the car, Mr. Floyd physically resisted officers. They add that they were able to get him into handcuffs and that he appeared to be suffering from medical distress. Soon thereafter (as evidenced by video) Mr. Floyd lost consciousness and died, while Chauvin leaned on his neck with his knee, with his hands comfortably in his pockets.

As we now know from surveillance video, Mr. Floyd was in handcuffs as he was calmly walked over from the car and was seated nearby. There is video footage missing between that time and the time he ended up near a police car, with his head on the ground, and with Chauvin’s knee on his neck. The Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis issued a statement, that included, “Now is not the time (to) rush to judgement and immediately condemn our officers.” Respectfully, no one can deny what was seen—that a man’s life was taken unnecessarily, and attempts to cite “training” and other common phrasing used after police-answerable deaths of Black citizens, does not relinquish the officers of responsibility or the criminal justice system of accountability.

We are pleased to know that Chief Medaria Arradondo took swift action in the firing of the four officers involved. We are pleased to know that the FBI is part of the investigation so quickly. We also expect appropriate charges, prosecution, and conviction for the killing of Mr. Floyd. However, true justice for Mr. Floyd and the Black community is long from done.

Let’s speak truths: In America, it is clear that the humanity of Black people appears invisible to law enforcement. What other explanation would there be for Chauvin to lean on the neck of a handcuffed Black man until he dies? Mr. Floyd’s cries that he could not breathe, that the officers were going to kill him, and cries for his mother were heart-wrenching, yet went unanswered by any of the four officers. Armed White men are allowed to stand on the steps of government buildings and protest that their liberty is being stepped on, unchallenged by law enforcement. But, too often, when unarmed Black citizens are alleged to have committed minor violations, freedom is no longer at play, and the door opens for death at the very hands of those who should be protecting and serving.

The National Black Police Association calls on police chiefs and executives, and our partners in social justice and criminal justice reform to take heed and appropriate action now! Our power is in our collective missions. This is not a time to remain silent, nor is it a time to just give polite platitudes and statements that we are watching or continue to repeat that officers must be held accountable. We already know that. What are we going to do about law enforcement abuses and continued trauma? What will we do to ensure complete and true justice in this and every other case that we “monitor?” Our communities are calling on us, and the NBPA is calling on you, like us, to step up your game.

National Black police Association

1725 "I" Street, NW

Suite 300

Washington, DC 20006

Phone: 855-TRY-NBPA (879-6272)

Email: nationaloffice@blackpolice.org

Website: https://www.blackpolice.org/

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The National Black Police Association (NBPA) is a national organization comprised of sub-regional African American Police Associations, dedicated to promoting justice, fairness, and effectiveness in law enforcement. The NBPA has several chartered organizations throughout the United States and has associate members abroad, in Canada, Bermuda, and the United Kingdom. The core focus of NBPA centers upon Law Enforcement issues, with a strong emphasis on the effects of these issues on the African-American community. The NBPA serves as an advocate forum for minority police officers and establishes a national network of professional development and training for all police officers and those parties interested in law enforcement.

Race a factor in black St. Louis cop being mistakenly shot by white cop

As black people we have all learned that there are several things you can't do while being black unless you want to be shot by the police. You know things like, walking, talking, or breathing. You can now add being a cop to that list as black police officer found out the hard way in St. Louis after being wounded by a fellow officer. And yes, the officer who shot him claimed he feared for his life although other officers at the scene had told the black cop to approach them after CONFIRMING that he was a cop. Sadly the most that may happen to this trigger happy cop is that he looses his job. SMH. George L. Cook III AfricanAmericanReports.Com

An off-duty black St. Louis police officer's race factored into him being mistakenly shot by a white officer who didn't recognize him after a shootout with black suspects this week, the wounded officer's lawyer contends.

The 38-year-old black officer was off duty when he heard a commotion near his home and ran toward it with his service weapon to try to help his fellow officers, police said.

St. Louis' interim police chief, Lawrence O'Toole, said the incident began when officers with an anti-crime task force followed a stolen car and were twice fired upon by its occupants. One suspect was shot in an ankle and was arrested, along with another teenager who tried to run from police, O'Toole said. A third suspect is being sought.

When the off-duty officer who lived nearby heard the commotion and arrived at the scene Wednesday night to help, two on-duty officers ordered him to the ground but then recognized him and told him to stand up and walk toward them. As he was doing so, another officer arrived and shot the off-duty officer "apparently not recognizing" him, police said.

The police department as of Saturday hadn't disclosed the names of the officers, who have been placed on routine administrative leave as the matter is investigated. Police described the black officer as an 11-year department veteran and said he was treated at a hospital and released. The officer who shot him is 36 and has been with the department more than eight years.

The black officer's lawyer, Rufus J. Tate Jr., discussed the shooting with St. Louis Fox affiliate KTVI, but the officer isn't named in that report. Tate told the station that his client identified himself to the on-duty officers at the scene and complied with their commands. The lawyer questioned the white officer's account to police that he shot the off-duty officer because he feared for his safety.

"In the police report you have so far, there is no description of a threat he received. So we have a real problem with that. But this has been a national discussion for the past two years. There is this perception that a black man is automatically feared," Tate said.

Read more: Lawyer: Race a factor in St. Louis cop being mistakenly shot

Being Black Wearing Blue: Black cops speak out

Four black police officers interviewed with Thisisinsider.com. The black officers discussed being a black cop on a force where the community is treated badly, Black Lives Matter, and how they are treated and viewed by other cops and their own communities. Watch the intriguing video below.

To black police officers: Keep Your Head Up

By George L. Cook III AfricanAmericanReports EMAIL
I dedicate this to the brave black men and women who serve as police officers. I know that right know your jobs and to a certain extent just living your life is not an easy thing to do right now.

I am not a police officer, but as a black man elected to my local school board, I know how it can feel when it seems like your own people are against you. What I had to learn is that it wasn't that they were necessarily against me but that they were passionately advocating for their children and because I look like them they RIGHTFULLY expected more from me. Sometimes that can seem unfair, but we have to keep in mind that when we are in positions of authority and responsibility that we have to walk that delicate balance between treating all fairly and at the same time trying to fix the social ills that befall many in the black community. At times your won may not understand why you have to walk that fine line, BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT THEY DON'T LOVE AND RESPECT YOU.

I know I and many others respect the work you do and love the reason many of our black brothers and sisters became cops. You did it to give back and to make your communities better. You bravely chose to do a job that few can and that even fewer including myself would want to do. Some joined to help changed a flawed system from the inside. I know that you at times have to face the worst in humanity to protect us all, I love and respect you for that. And trust me it's not only me but millions of others feel the same.

I know that you walk a fine line between working to change the culture of many police departments while at the same time working to change that culture. I know that it's not easy and can make you feel like you are just slamming your head into a wall. But no fight for systemic change is easy, and it takes strong people like you to take up that fight.

In many ways you exemplify the best in humanity especially when it comes to bravery and compassion and are to be commended. But with that come being held to a higher standard that may at times seem unfair but one you will have to and will deal with because you are more than capable of doing that to make things better for both cops and minority communities.

So to my black police officers, Keep ya Head Up!

George L. Cook III AfricanAmericanReports.Com