Phoenixville PD: George Floyd Death 'Incomprehensible'

PHOENIXVILLE, PA — As protests and riots hit the greater Philadelphia area related to the killing of George Floyd, Phoenixville was among the local muncipalities whose police departments issued a statement to the community.

The department called the death of Floyd, 46, a Minneapolis man who was killed after police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for nine minutes, "shocking and incomprehensible."

>>Philly Area Protests: Disaster Emergency Declared, 22 Arrested

The incident sparked protests and riots in cities around the country. Demonstrations hit Philadelphia and the southeastern Pennsylvania suburbs Saturday night into early Sunday morning, with fires and damage done to businesses. Even the King of Prussia Mall and other suburban locations were impacted.

All told hundreds were arrested in Philadelphia, and 13 officers were injured.

In addition to decrying Floyd's death, Phoenixville police said that they thoroughly investigate all complaints against officers alongside the mayor. All Phoenixville officers have a body camera and each patrol vehicle has a car camera, and footage is frequently reviewed, authorities said.

Here's the full statement issued by the Phoenixville Police Department on Saturday:

"As members of the Phoenixville Police Department we hold ourselves to the highest level of professional conduct. We strive to ensure that every person we interact with, regardless of the situation, is treated with the upmost respect and dignity.

As a Fully Accredited Police Department each of our Officers undergoes significant and routine training in the appropriate methods to de-escalate situations and when appropriate detain individuals. The incident which lead to Mr. Floyd’s death does not reflect the training or procedures which our Officers employ nor the values of our department.

Any complaint against an officer is thoroughly investigated and personally handled by the Chief of Police and Mayor. Additionally each of our Officers is equipped with a Body Camera and each patrol vehicle a Car Camera whose footage are routinely reviewed.

We take pride in serving and being members of the Phoenixville Community, with many of our Officers having served through our revitalization.

In the solemn oath which we take the final line is the everlasting testament to our Department’s Values, “I will uphold, obey and enforce the law without consideration of a person’s race, color, sex, religious creed, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, handicap or disability.”

We offer our sincere sympathies to the Floyd family and the citizens of Minneapolis. It is our hope, that together, we can ensure justice and peace will prevail."