Watch Cops From Across Essex County Take A Knee For George Floyd – Newark, NJ Patch

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — With a nod to Colin Kaepernick, cops from across Essex County expressed their sorrow – and condemnation – of George Floyd’s death by taking a knee against police brutality at Newark police headquarters on Monday.

The assembled officers included representatives from police departments in Newark, Orange, South Orange, Caldwell, Bloomfield, Verona and several others in the county. The event also included Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura and Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens.

Led by Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, the law enforcement professionals each took a knee in the fashion of Kaepernick, the former football star who has become an icon of the Black Lives Matter movement.

According to the Newark Department of Public Safety, Monday’s event was held to honor Floyd’s life and pay respects to his family.

The officers also condemned the “deplorable actions” of Derek Chauvin, a white Minneapolis police officer who was captured on viral video with his knee on Floyd’s neck, while the handcuffed man pleaded for help.

Newark Police Chief Darnell Henry asked people at the event to close their eyes and image that “the person on the ground” was their wife, husband, father, mother, son, daughter or sibling.

“Now open your eyes and tell me – how do you feel?” Henry asked.

“Based on what was observed on video, Mr. Floyd lost his life directly due to the actions of the officer,” Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose previously said. “He in no way represents the standard of law enforcement, which is aimed at preserving and protecting lives.”

“The actions and force used by the Minneapolis police officers in the video are absolutely inexcusable and unacceptable. These officers must be held accountable for not only their actions, but inactions, that were inconsistent with any training and procedures of our profession. Today, the Township of Bloomfield experienced a very peaceful, productive protest. We as a department welcome everyones right to express themselves, with the understanding that these protests are done peacefully and within the parameters of the law without damaging property, harming citizens, or our police. Please know that The Bloomfield Police Department will always support all people; regardless of race, sex, religion, or beliefs. Incidents like this undermine efforts of law enforcement all over to build community relationships and trust with those we have sworn to serve and protect. The actions of these officers should not discredit the millions of other men and women who wear a badge. The Bloomfield Police Department offers our utmost condolences to George Floyd’s family during this unimaginable time.”

Police in Caldwell also offered a statement about the event on social media:

“The Caldwell Police Department was honored to stand with all of the law enforcement executives in Essex County earlier today as we denounced the killing of George Floyd. The officers involved failed Mr. Floyd and we can never let this happen again. We will continue to work to earn the trust and faith of the community we serve by being committed to our excellence in policing initiatives: professionalism, accountability and transparency.”

On Saturday, South Orange Police Chief Kyle Kroll said that far too often, law enforcement personnel remain silent when they should be leaders in holding their peers accountable. (Read his full statement)

“As chief of the South Orange Police Department, I want you to know that like you, I watched the video footage of George Floyd being murdered at the hands of law enforcement,” Kroll recalled. “It was appalling, unnecessary, inhumane, tragic, and unacceptable. All four officers involved must be held accountable for both their actions and their inactions. Notably, not one officer intervened to protect George Floyd, a complete dereliction of their duties.”

Verona Police Chief Christopher Kiernan said he was “sickened” when he saw the video of Floyd’s death.

“That day my phone immediately became inundated with messages from Verona officers and supervisors sharing their disgust and outrage,” Kiernan wrote on social media. “It is unfathomable to me, and my Department, that a police officer sworn to protect and to serve could perform such a brutal act. It is criminal that the officers watching failed to intercede.”

“The death of George Floyd was appalling, unnecessary, inhumane, tragic and unacceptable,” Kiernan added. “We want to see justice for George Floyd. We support those who seek to make their voices heard through peaceful protest. The actions of all of the officers involved are contrary to the values of the Verona Police Department and hurt all officers because they erode public trust. We know that public trust is earned and we will continue to work hard every day to earn your trust.”

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