Black Lives Matter, Pastors Criticized By Johns Creek Police Head

JOHNS CREEK, GA — A now-deleted Facebook post by Johns Creek Police Chief Chris Byers said pastors have let their congregations down and he does not support the Black Lives Matter movement because it is "glorifying the killing" of police officers. He previously condemned racism and the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody.

While Byers took down the controversial post, city officials released it late Monday afternoon, along with a statement to Patch that said they "do not condone or accept any form of racism, hate, brutality, or repression. The city stands against all forms of racism and will continue to work hard to protect the rights of all our citizens regardless of race, color, or creed. The city supports people's right for peaceful protest, demonstration, and the sharing of ideas, because it is through these rights and the sharing of ideas that we can enact proactive and positive change."

The post written Sunday night was nearly 1,000 words, and included Byers saying, "I have been asked by those in our community countless times... 'Do you believe black lives matter?;' My definitive answer, YES! I believe that the lives of every black man, woman, and child matter just as much as the lives of every white man, woman, and child and police officer. Just as with every other nationality we get the privilege of calling our neighbors and every religion represented.

"But I do not support the Black Lives Matter as a movement as it seems to glorify the killing of my brothers and sisters," Byers said. "It is not what you pastors and religious leaders think it is. Stop trying to be relevant and look deeper into what you are saying, posting, and tagging before you do it. But please..never give up the fight against racism. We have a long way to go! But we need everybody moving in the same direction."

Byers' Facebook post began by reprimanding religious leaders in the community, including pastors, directors of ministries, youth pastors and worship leaders.

"You have failed us," he wrote. "By us I mean the men and women of the law enforcement communities and our families. Our spouses. Our children. Our loved ones.

"I have purposely not watched, read, or listened to anything the religious leaders I hold most dear have posted in the last week. Why? Because I know that, in an attempt to appease people, they may say things that are just not true. Because I do not want to abandon the ministries I serve and support, I have stayed away from the sermons and social media posts. But not all of our officers have. And you have abandoned them. Left them disillusioned. Left them questioning if there is a place for them in your congregations and ultimately in service to the Kingdom as a whole. Shame on you!"

Byers, who is white, said as a police chief he's trying his best to serve those he's charged to lead, and has been holding meetings with officers to discuss the turmoil in the country.

"To discuss the horrific actions that lead to Mr. Floyd’s death, as well as to discuss the horrific actions of those who are preying on our law enforcement brothers and sisters in the name of justice," Byers wrote. "There have been tears in those meeting. Words of anger toward the wolf in sheep’s clothing that took his life. Words of fear. And then there have been countless words that I as a Christian am ashamed to hear. 'Chief, our pastors have abandoned us.' 'They have sold us out for slogans in the name of attempting to be relevant.' 'Chief, what about us?' 'Why has my pastor and congregation hash tagged organizations that condone killing us in their social media postings and sermons?' 'Chief, don’t they know that the movements they are promoting at its core celebrates the killing of police officers simply because they wear the badge.'"

City Manager Ed Densmore said the city, "will conduct a careful review of the content and comments from the posting and explore potential next steps or actions, as appropriate. Equitable treatment and respect for each and every member of our community, including those of the Black Lives Matter movement, is part of our city’s culture."

Last week, Byers wrote on the department's Facebook page to address the death of George Floyd, and how his department is responding to protests against police use of force.

"Johns Creek is a very diverse community and I could not be more proud to serve as the chief of the Johns Creek Police Department and be a resident," Byers said on June 1. "We will always strive to 'set the standard' in policing as our mission statement says.

"The officers of the Johns Creek Police Department are absolutely stunned and angered by the force used against him. The level of force was excessive and in no way reasonable, which is the standard that we are sworn to abide by. This former officer in no way represents law enforcement and the badge we wear."

The community has the right to voice their anger and indignation and demand justice for Floyd and his family, Byers said last week. However, he said he cannot "condone or begin to understand how the damaging of property and perpetrating more violence can bring about that justice."

"I can assure you that the video of Mr. Floyd and his treatment is not representative of law enforcement and especially not the Johns Creek Police Department and those in our neighboring area," Byers said last week. "We have seen countless officers thrust into harm's way this weekend to restore order and protect those that are demonstrating their Constitutional right to protest and have their concerns addressed."

Then on Sunday, Byers said he will not be taking a knee as many other police officials have across the country.

"Taking a knee is a sign of surrender," Byers wrote. "I will not surrender to this fight for justice. I take a knee of surrender to my Lord and Savior alone. I will however stand with you and protect your rights to protest and have your voices heard. And I will bow down to pray with you. To pray to make our hearts pure. My heart pure. For us to see each other as we are...God’s creation. His Son’s and Daughter’s. Regardless of race. To celebrate diversity. That’s what I bow for."

However, Byers also said,“I am 100 percent supportive of all of the protesting and demands for justice that are happening now. They are valid and necessary for change. I am your biggest ally in the fight to stamp out any racism, or corruption in our country’s police agencies. I am on the front line in this battle. It’s my job to not only keep the 'bad apples' from wearing the badge, but also to make sure the soil in my organization and profession remains pure."

Byers began his career in law enforcement in 1996, joining the Johns Creek Police Department in 2008. He became the chief of police March 23.

The City of Johns Creek said in its statement that it recognizes the importance of seeking to understand all sides of any issue and listen to the voices of the community.

"For this reason, the city is working on future opportunities for potential town hall and/or community discussions to provide a way for residents, community leaders, faith leaders, and organizations to take part in a constructive dialogue on the issues at hand," the city said. "These discussions will take place as soon as social distancing guidelines for COVID-19 deem it appropriate and safe. The city understands these discussions can and have been taking place virtually during this time but considers in-person meetings to be more impactful for discussions such as these."

Patch reached out to Byers for comment and will continue to update this article.

Related: Johns Creek Chief Wants His Officers To 'Set The Standard'