'We Stand United With Our Community': Manchester Police Chief

MANCHESTER, NJ — As protests continue to happen across the country over the death of George Floyd on Memorial Day in Minnesota, Manchester Township officials say they are listening and working to strengthen bonds between the community and police in the township.

"We do not support the actions taken by any of the officers involved in the George Floyd incident," Manchester Police Chief Lisa Parker said in a letter posted on the department's Facebook page on Monday ahead of a protest that was held in Pine Lake Park. You can read it in full below. "The firing and subsequent criminal charging of these officers was fully justified and we believe justice should be served."

Parker said the department has a number of measures in place to ensure nothing like what happened to Floyd happens in Manchester, but she added the department will be stepping up efforts to strengthen its bonds with the community.

"Our community relationships remain an important focal point in our daily contacts with the public," Parker said. "As police officers who care about the necessary and important message that the George Floyd incident brings to light, it is incumbent upon us to be a part of the ongoing efforts that bring peace, continued accountability, transparency and restorative faith in policing to all of our residents."

"What happened (to Floyd) should never, ever occur," Manchester Mayor Ken Palmer said in a Facebook live address on Friday. You can see his full remarks below. "The repercussions, you're seeing it. Our friends, our residents, our community across the country, they're hurting."

The peaceful protesters "are trying to let us know something is wrong," Palmer said. said. "I understand that you're hurting and I want to better understand how you feel. The way that we do that is we have to have an open and honest dialogue."

"I see a lot of Facebook commentary saying 'all lives matter.' Of course everybody matters," he said. "But as it was explained to me and the best example: Assume in your neighborhood a house is burning and somebody calls for help. The fire trucks are going to go to the house that's burning not the house that's not."

"Right now in the black community, their house is burning," Palmer said. "When they're saying 'black lives matter,' they're asking for our help."

"I stand by our employees and I stand by our police department," Palmer said. "I will be there (Monday) and I will listen."

"We understand each and every contact with the public is an opportunity to show our high level of professionalism, unilateral application of the law and our commitment to serve the needs of our community," Parker said. "We stand united with our community and are fully committed to serving and protecting our residents."

The protest was one of dozens around the country and around New Jersey that have arisen in the wake of the death of Floyd, 46, who died after a Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck on May 25 after being arrested following a 911 call reporting a counterfeit $20 bill.

A public viewing for Floyd was held Monday in Houston, where he had been born and raised.

Derek Chauvin, the police officer who was seen in multiple videos kneeling on Floyd's neck for more than 8 minutes before he died, was fired and has been charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter. He was scheduled to make his first court appearance on Monday. Three other Minneapolis police officers involved in the incident have been fired; charges of aiding and abetting murder and manslaughter were filed against them last week.

Have a news tip? Email karen.wall@patch.com Follow Manchester Patch on Facebook.