Police Across Georgia Issue Statements In The Wake of George Floyd's Death

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Protesters demonstrate on University Avenue while holding a "WE CAN'T BREATHE" sign, Thursday, May 28, 2020, in St. Paul, Minn. Protests over the death of George Floyd, a black man who died in police custody Monday, broke out for the third straight night.

Police around Georgia have been joining the chorus of police forces around the nation in condemning the police officers in Minneapolis, Minnesota, who arrested George Floyd.

Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died in police custody after pleading for help while an officer pressed his knee on Floyd's neck to pin him down for several minutes, according to viral video taken by bystanders.

This week, Floyd's death has ignited protests around the country after the video of the arrest emerged, showing Floyd handcuffed to the ground, saying, "I can't breathe," as the officer was holding him down.

Atlanta police Chief Erika Shields addressed the controversy in video state released over social media on Thursday.

"I am aware that there is a huge amount of hurt, anger and fear over Mr. Floyd's murder. Rightly so," Shields said. "How disconnected does law enforcement have to be for a man to be suffocated by a cop in broad daylight knowing that the cameras are rolling, with fellow officers standing around watching? These officers didn't just fail as cops; they fundamentally failed as human beings."

Shields stressed that the Atlanta Police Department does not teach or tolerate any of the methods used to arrest Floyd. She also said the department relies heavily on body cameras to review Atlanta officers' behavior and wants the public to know that the actions of the arresting officers in Minneapolis do not represent the reaching of any law enforcement profession.

"What I can state to you today, is that my colleagues and I are appalled with what has occurred to George Floyd. We fully expect for the officers to serve prison time — they've earned it," Shields said. "Our prayers go out to Mr. Floyd's family. This never should have happened."

In DeKalb County, Sheriff Melody Maddox shared similar emotions as Shields concerning the conduct of the arresting officers in Floyd's death, but also expressed her anger toward the other officers who were at the scene of the arrest and never intervened.

"These incidents have become personal for me – a woman of color and a law enforcement official. I should not have to fear for my blood brothers as they go about their daily lives," Maddox said in her statement about Floyd's death. "As a grandmother of two beautiful grandsons, I am kept awake at night because of tragedies like these. I wonder and worry what awaits them as they grow."

While Maddox expressed her anger and sadness about the situation, she said she also feels that cooler heads must prevail and encouraged peaceful protests in response to the tragedy.

RELATED: Minneapolis Police Station Set Ablaze As Protests Spread Over George Floyd's Death

Polk County Sheriff Johnny Moats said he was deeply disturbed by the video of Floyd "being murdered in the street" with other officers there who let it go on.

"I can assure everyone, me or any of my deputies will never treat anyone like that as long as I'm Sheriff," Moats said in his statement. "This kind of brutality is terrible, and it needs to stop. All officers involved need to be arrested and charged immediately."

The video of Floyd's arrest made Peach County Sheriff Terry Deese sick, he said, to think that an incident like that could happen, and nobody did anything to stop it. Deese said law enforcement is only allowed to use the physical force necessary to help with an arrest and that it ends once the suspect is handcuffed and under control.

He said he believes the officers who arrested Floyd should face murder charges, and on Friday Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer involved in George Floyd's death, was charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter.

"Law enforcement officers come in contact with the public thousands of times each day with no problems, but it only takes one senseless action like this one to tarnish the reputation of all the great Professional Law Enforcement Officers in our country," Deese said. "No one hates a bad officer more than a good officer!"

Sheriff Bill Massee in Baldwin County agrees the actions taken in the video are inexcusable.

"To put it bluntly, when the cuffs go on, the game is over," Massee said. "We have so many great people in my profession, and conduct like this hurts our reputation and standing in every community. Please do not let the actions of a few change your feelings about the many people that truly serve and protect."

Statesboro police Chief Mike Broadhead says that the actions of the arresting officers are indefensible in his statement. He also says that his department shares the same disgust as many in the public feel toward the officers who did not intervene on Floyd's arrest.

"Police misconduct cannot be tolerated. I am firmly convinced that good police officers need to stand up and point out police misconduct," Broadhead said. "The vast majority of police officers in this nation want to do the right thing. But they need to stand up when they see misconduct."

Since Floyd's death, the Minneapolis Police Department fired the four officers involved in his arrest, and the FBI is investigating the arrest according to CNN. On Friday one of the former officers identified as Derek Chauvin was taken into custody by Minnasota's Bureau of Criminal Apprehenson, and charged.