Local law enforcement calls for policing to do better in response to man dying during police encounter
CENTRAL COAST, Calif. (KION) Four Minneapolis police officers have been fired after a video showed one of them kneeling on the neck of George Floyd, who later died.
Hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Minneapolis later saying "I can't breathe," which were some of Floyd's last words in the video.
Law enforcement on the Central Coast is now showing support for Floyd and questioning how policing can improve.
Chief Andrew Mills with the Santa Cruz Police Department sent out a tweet Wednesday saying, "Policing must do better."
Former Hollister Police Chief and current Public Information Officer for San Benito County David Westrick also took to Twitter and included a link to a blog post where he shares his thoughts.
"I don't know anything about Mr Floyd. I don't know if that is even important right now. I know he had a family who loved him very much. I know he had friends. I know he has a community that is outraged. In my opinion, based on the totality of what I have seen thus far, they have every right be upset. I am upset with them. We ARE better than this," he wrote.
He said to prevent situations like this from happening again, law enforcement must stress common sense and practical procedures in training, maintain high standards and hold personnel and leaders accountable for their actions.
"I asked in the title of this blog 'Where are the good police officers?' The answer is most all officers are great and good. They serve their communities with honor and are truly caretakers. I am proud of them and I am proud to have served alongside them. They are as upset at this as all of you," Westrick wrote.
Floyd was arrested Monday when officers responded to a call about an alleged forgery in progress. Video shows Floyd handcuffed and pinned to the ground with one officer's knee pressing against his neck. Floyd said he was in pain and couldn't breathe. Shortly after, he died at a nearby hospital.
The Mayor of Minneapolis is calling for criminal charges against the officer seen pinning Floyd down, and Floyd's family members are calling for the officers to be charged with murder.
