Local law enforcement agencies address death of George Floyd
Local authorities, the University of Missouri System and Gov. Mike Parson addressed the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died Monday after an officer with the Minneapolis Police Department used his knee on Floyd's neck to pin him to the ground. His death sparked outrage and nationwide protests.
The Columbia Police Department, University of Missouri Police Department and Boone County Sheriff's Office released a joint statement Thursday.
The agencies offered condolences to Floyd's loved ones and his community. In the statement, the agencies pledged to treat people fairly.
"In our own community, all law enforcement officers are held to the highest standards," the statement said. "We will treat everyone fairly and with respect. As trained professionals, we’re committed to serving with honor and compassion."
The University of Missouri System also released a statement saying it will not tolerate discrimination.
"No matter where you come from, no matter your race, gender, identity, preference or perspective, we all come together to learn, and everyone deserves to be treated with respect and to thrive," the statement said.
A reporter asked Gov. Mike Parson about the events in Minneapolis during his daily briefing Thursday.
"I was in law enforcement for a long time. And you see what's going on in other cities, you know, you never want to see that, you know, I don't," Parson said.
Parson said that he wanted to be cautious to judge someone.
"What I know from the outside looking in, probably wasn't the best of circumstances, you know, and people have to be held accountable for that," Parson said. "But again, I want to be really careful where I judge somebody because just what I've seen on TV, because I don't know what the facts were and everything but you know, as a normal person it didn't look too good what happened there. And, by all means, law enforcement, I prided myself on that forever, your job's to take care of people not to hurt people."
Watch Parson's full response in the media player below:
