N. Andover Police Denounce Police Treatment Of George Floyd

NORTH ANDOVER, MA — The command staff of the North Andover Police Department issued a statement Monday speaking out against the killing of George Floyd, the Minneapolis man who died after a police officer knelt on his neck for nine minutes.

"Chief Gray and the Command staff of the North Andover Police Department would like to join with the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, representing Police Chiefs in all 351 cities and towns and most college campuses, denouncing the egregious actions taken by four members of the Minneapolis Police Department, whether by action or inaction, that resulted in the death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020," the statement reads.

A video filmed by a bystander showed Floyd saying he couldn't breath as now-former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck. Three other officers stood by.

Chauvin was arrested Friday and charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter.

Local police chiefs began denouncing Floyd's treatment Thursday, as protests took hold in Minneapolis.

"North Andover Police Officers have thoroughly embraced the six pillars of the principles embodied in the final report of the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing, and remain committed to professional conduct, democratic policing and procedural justice for all people," the statement concludes.

That report, published in 2015, is available here.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.