Westfield Chief 'Broken-Hearted' Over Floyd; Addresses Rumors

WESTFIELD, NJ — Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro responded on Monday to the death of George Floyd on Memorial Day at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer. And on Tuesday, Battiloro addressed social media rumors about upcoming protests in Westfield.

Cities across the country saw large protests over the weekend, and more protests are planned throughout New Jersey for this week.

On Monday, Battiloro wrote:

<blockquote>I write this today with a heavy heart, not only as chief of the Westfield Police Department, but as a father of three young children, as a dedicated public servant, and as a broken-hearted American citizen.

I am extremely proud to be a police officer, and am honored to be entrusted with the safety of others. To me, the badge is a symbol of trust, and of honor and integrity.
The role of a police officer is NOT to exert power, to show force, or to cause pain.
The role of a police officer is to help, to protect, to show compassion, to teach, and to love.
The killing of George Floyd, at the hands of police officers, demonstrated a callous disregard for human life. It should not have happened. His life was needlessly lost at the hands of people who were supposed to protect him.
The Westfield Police Department condemns the actions of those who contributed to the loss of his life. That is not what police work is. That is not what humanity is.
We mourn with his family, and with the rest of America, for the loss of his life. However, we must take this moment, learn from it, and become a more inclusive community.
I want you all to know the Westfield Police Department has been taking, and continues to take, significant measures to ensure the absolute professionalism of its police officers and their conduct at all times ... In addition, I look forward to being involved with Mayor Brindle’s newly formed Human Relations Advisory Committee to actively listen and participate in fostering an environment of inclusivity, mutual understanding, and respect within the Westfield community.
As the Chief of Police, my job is to ensure the Westfield Police Department always gives you its very best. You deserve that, you are worthy of that, and nothing short of it will ever be accepted.
In recognition of George Floyd’s death, and the deaths of other people of color lost to police brutality, we stand with you..."</blockquote>

To read the full statement, click here.

Tuesday, Battiloro addressed possible protests in Westfield:

<blockquote>The Westfield Police Department has been monitoring social media reports regarding the potential for localized mass gatherings related to the death of George Floyd.
While a number of gatherings are planned and expected throughout the Union County area this week, reports of a march into Westfield scheduled for Saturday, June 6 cannot be verified at this time. Nonetheless, the Westfield Police Department has been operating at an enhanced preparedness level and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.
We have been and continue to work with our law enforcement partners at the local, county and state levels in sharing intelligence and making the appropriate safety preparations related to the potential for these events. By all accounts, we expect any demonstrations that may materialize to be peaceful, and there is no information indicating any specific, credible threats posed by any of these gatherings. It is our intention to stand in solidarity with any peaceful demonstrators as a reflection of our department’s values.
The Westfield Police Department is fully committed to both ensuring the safety and security of its residents and businesses while also protecting the constitutional rights of those who choose to peacefully assemble and express themselves.</blockquote>

On Monday night, Mayor Shelley Brindle said in her nightly coronavirus update, "Lastly, as we begin a new week under some very difficult circumstances weighing on our entire country, I want to acknowledge the outpouring of support and solidarity from the community — not only in condemning George Floyd’s murder through words and actions, but also in asking what more can be done and how we can be part of the solution. I hope that you had a chance to see Chief Battiloro’s statement today, which points out some of the steps being taken by the Westfield Police Department but, perhaps more importantly, also demonstrates the very leadership, compassion, and conviction that he brings to his job every day to prioritize working with the community."

She added, "Special thanks to the MLK Association of Westfield who, with the assistance of some additional volunteers, took the time to create and place very meaningful banners at the MLK monument near the South Avenue Circle to pay tribute to George Floyd, as well as others recently lost to race-based violence — Ahmaud Arbery, Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, Tamir Rice, Philando Castile, Breonna Taylor, and Sandra Bland. I join the MLK Association in encouraging everyone to visit the monument, with social distancing practices in place, in order to reflect and pay tribute to these lives lost so tragically. Tomorrow I will be convening the first meeting of the Human Relations Advisory Committee, which was established just prior to our COVID shut down but did not have an opportunity to hold an initial meeting. I look forward to formally appointing the members at our Council meeting next week, and to get to work on the critically important issues that the tragic events of the last week have illuminated."

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