Police chiefs condemn George Floyd's death ahead of Black Lives Matter protest in Sussex

UK police leaders have condemned the death of George Floyd, whose killing in police custody has sparked riots and demonstrations around the world.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Mr Floyd, who was black, died on May 25 after being pinned face down on the ground with a Minneapolis police officer's knee on his neck for almost nine minutes.

Video footage showed Mr Floyd saying 'I can't breathe', before losing consciousness while still pinned to the ground. He died in police custody. The 46-year-old father-of-one, who was unarmed, had been arrested for allegedly trying to use a fake $20 bank note.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The officer, Derek Chauvin, who is white, has been charged with third degree murder and three other officers at the incident have been sacked.

(Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images) Copyright: 2020 Getty Images(Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images) Copyright: 2020 Getty Images
(Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images) Copyright: 2020 Getty Images

Mr Floyd's killing - the latest in a number of instances of unarmed black people being killed in police custody - has fuelled both peaceful and violent protests around the world in support of racial equality.

A 'safe and silent' protest for the Black Lives Matter movement, founded in 2013 after the killing of unarmed African-American teenager Trayvon Martin by a white police officer, has been planned in Brighton next Saturday, June 13. Read more here: Black Lives Matter protest march planned for Brighton Chief constables from forces across the country, the chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, the chief executive of the College of Policing and the President of the Police Superintendents' Association have said they are 'appalled' by the way Mr Floyd lost his life and the violent clashes that followed.

They said: “We stand alongside all those across the globe who are appalled and horrified by the way George Floyd lost his life. Justice and accountability should follow.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We are also appalled to see the violence and damage that has happened in so many US cities since then. Our hearts go out to all those affected by these terrible events and hope that peace and order will soon be restored.

“In the UK we have a long established tradition of policing by consent, working in communities to prevent crime and solve problems. Officers are trained to use force proportionately, lawfully and only when absolutely necessary. We strive to continuously learn and improve. We will tackle bias, racism or discrimination wherever we find it.

“Policing is complex and challenging and sometimes we fall short. When we do, we are not afraid to shine a light on injustices or to be held to account.

“The relationship between the police and the public in the UK is strong but there is always more to do. Every day, up and down the country, officers and staff are working to strengthen those relationships and address concerns. Only by working closely with our communities do we build trust and help keep people safe.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We know people want to make their voices heard. The right to lawful protest is key part of any democracy, which UK police uphold and facilitate. But coronavirus remains a deadly disease and there are still restrictions in place to prevent its spread, which include not gathering outside in groups of more than six people. So for whatever reason people want to come together, we ask that people continue to work with officers at this challenging time.”

The legislation around the maximum number of people in gatherings varies across the devolved nations of the UK.

The statement was signed by Martin Hewitt, Chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, Mike Cunningham, Chief Executive of the College of Policing and Paul Griffiths, President of the Police Superintendents' Association.

Nest Saturday's protest was described by organisers as being to ‘show solidarity to all BIPOC (black, indigenous, people of colour) communities who continuously and tirelessly have their human rights challenged and fear dangerous oppression from authorities and governments alike’.

Thousands of people have signed up to the event on Facebook, and protestors are being told to stick to social distancing rules, keeping two metres apart.