I have been asked by several people recently why I have not made a public statement regarding the death of George Floyd at the hands of police officers. My response was I have done so on a local media program, in a statement along with the Monroe County Law Enforcement Council, and individually to concerned citizens when they have reached out to me. I also explained that a statement coming from me might sound trite or insincere, or people may feel that I was only doing so “because everyone else did it.”
After a conversation with another concerned citizen today (June 10), I realize this course of action was wrong.
So I’ll say it. I am sickened by the death of George Floyd. I am embarrassed for my profession in seeing the death of an unarmed, handcuffed human being at the hands of someone who has no business wearing a badge. I’m devastated that this has again happened to a person of color. I’m angry that not one other police officer saw their duty to intervene. This needs to stop.
We are better than this. The people we serve deserve to know they are safe in their dealings with police officers.
If you know me, and you know the officers of the Ogden Police Department, I hope you also know that this is not who we are or how we conduct ourselves. We have the trust and support of the community we serve, but I will not hide behind that. We are human. I’m not so blind or ignorant to believe bias and racism do not exist, but they will not be tolerated in the ranks of this agency or in the community we serve. We need to do everything we can to overcome these viruses of the heart, every day. Keeping a society safe includes ensuring equity for all. We must enforce the law and maintain order, but do so with empathy, compassion, and understanding.
Thank you for reading this. I should have written it sooner, and I hope you forgive me for that. Thank you for continued trust in, and support of, the Town of Ogden Police Department.
Chief Christopher Mears
Town of Ogden Police Department
