First Selectman, Police Chief Issue Statement On Minneapolis

WESTPORT, CT — Westport First Selectman Jim Marpe and Police Chief Foti Koskinas issued the following joint statement on the recent murder arrest of a former Minneapolis, Minnesota police officer and the civil unrest that has gripped that city and the nation.

George Floyd, 46, was killed while being arrested by four police officers earlier this week, and all four officers have been fired by the department. One of the former officers, Derek Chauvin, has been charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter in connection with the incident.

Chauvin, who is white, was seen in videos with his knee on the neck of Floyd, who was black. Floyd repeatedly said he that he could not breathe during the incident, and a crowd of spectators could be heard begging Chauvin to get off of Floyd.

As of Saturday morning, the other three former officers involved in the incident had not been charged.

Over the past several nights, protests against the treatment of blacks and/or minorities by members of law enforcement have sprung up in Minnesota and around the country. Many of those demonstrations have turned ugly, as protesters scream for justice for Floyd.

Marpe and Koskinas said the following:

We certainly can be counted among the many municipal and law enforcement leaders who were horrified and deeply disappointed by the recent tragedy in Minneapolis.

The Westport Police Department, like so many others across our country, has worked diligently to build relationships and trust within our communities; a trust which we and our national partners in law enforcement recognize must be incrementally earned and always carefully maintained. Fostering this trust among our community through a steadfast dedication to public service continues to be our top priority.

During difficult times such as these, it is important to reaffirm that the Westport Police Department remains resolutely committed to pursuing the goals of its mission statement through the fair and equitable treatment of all of those we encounter.

First Selectman Marpe emphasized that Westport’s commitment to fairness, equality and social justice is stronger than ever and is reflected daily in the actions of our Police Department, as well as in all Town departments and activities.