Crime & Safety

Burlington County Police Discuss Use Of Force In Online Forum

Law enforcement officers in Burlington County reportedly engaged with about 300 residents during an online forum Wednesday night.

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ — Law enforcement officers in Burlington County reportedly engaged with about 300 residents during an online forum on police use of force Wednesday night.

In the months since the death of George Floyd, Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina said Black residents have been more outspoken about being uncomfortable around local cops, the Burlington County Times reports.

Officers who participated in the forum spoke about training they receive on how to de-escalate a situation, according to the report. When force is unavoidable, they must resort to defensive tactics.

Find out what's happening in Moorestownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The Burlington County Prosecutor's Office and the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General co-hosted the forum as a way for police officers to gain a better understanding of the public's concerns and to improve their relationship with the community.

It was held in response to the death of the 46-year-old Floyd, who suffocated after then Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes. Video, which captured Floyd saying "I can't breathe," went viral, and sparked nationwide protests.

Find out what's happening in Moorestownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.