South Jersey Police Leaders Stress Community Trust

In the aftermath of the police-involved death of a Minnesota man that has sparked violence in that state, law enforcement leaders in Burlington and Camden counties are reasserting their commitment to protecting the public and having a positive relationship.

Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina said the relationship between the community and police is based on a shared trust.

“We trust the members of our community to follow the law and cooperate with our efforts to enforce it; our community has the right to trust that they will be treated fairly and justly by the officers who serve them,” Coffina said. “Here in Burlington County, the law enforcement community is fortunate to have developed a positive relationship with our residents.”

Coffina released the statement in the aftermath of the death of a Minnesota man that was caught on video. George Floyd was killed by a Minneapolis police officer who was kneeling on his neck for several minutes. Floyd, who was handcuffed and laying under a police car, died telling police he couldn’t breathe.

The officer, Derek Chauvin, and three other officers at the scene have all been fired. In the days since, there have been peaceful protests, as well as looting and violence from members of the community angry about Floyd’s death and the fact that the officers have not been arrested.

"George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis is deeply troubling and indefensible, the video revealing a startling lack of humanity by the police officers involved,” Coffina said. “The U.S. Department of Justice has opened an investigation, and rightly so.

“Our police officers routinely conduct themselves with the utmost professionalism and respect for the members of the communities they serve. This has been particularly apparent over the past few months as our officers have managed the added responsibility of enforcing significant restrictions on our normal activities with sensitivity to the stress that our residents are experiencing in the midst of this public health crisis.”

He said the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office and the local police departments across the county are committed to ensuring that all members of the public are treated fairly and equally.

Anyone who believes they have been victimized by a member of law enforcement as a result of bias or other improper behavior is encouraged to take the matter up with that officer’s chief, Coffina said. He also said they can contact the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office directly at 609-265-5035, so their complaint can be thoroughly investigated.

In a separate news conference, Camden County Police Chief Joe Wysocki reasserted his department’s emphasis on community policing and de-escalation techniques, according to the Courier Post.

"We don't want there to be any unrest in the city," Wysocki said during the news conference. "We want to have a partnership to get through this together."

Here's how some other local police departments reacted to the recent events.