RANDOLPH — Chief William Pace and the men and women of the Randolph Police Department condemn the actions of the Minneapolis Police officers which resulted in the death of George Floyd last week.
“The role of a police officer at its very core is the preservation of life and the welfare of the community. The safety of all human beings is the number one priority with any and every person an officer interacts with daily, whether a victim, a witness or a suspect,” Chief Pace said. “The Randolph Police Department will always be committed to providing the best possible service to the community in a dignified and equitable fashion. Officers are trained to approach every situation with respect, compassion and fairness, and these are all traits that were not present in the treatment of George Floyd.”
Police departments and their officers across Massachusetts have thoroughly embraced the six pillars of the principles embodied in the final report of President Barack Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing, and remain committed to professional conduct, democratic policing and procedural justice for all people. Massachusetts police officers, including those of the Randolph Police Department, are not trained to apply pressure to the neck or throat and to never place a suspect on their face.
Additionally, the Randolph Police Department is committed to meeting and maintaining the top standards of law enforcement through accreditation by the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission (MPAC). The department regularly reviews internal policies regarding use of force and its training on de-escalation techniques and fair and impartial policing. The reforms made over the years have promoted greater accountability and fulfilled training needs, resulting in a declining crime rate and no excessive force complaints in the last 10 years.
“George Floyd’s death was certainly preventable had the Minneapolis officers on scene maintained their professionalism and honored the oaths they swore when beginning their careers. It is our responsibility to hold responsible the officers who tarnish the reputation of this profession through unjust and unreasonable action or inaction,” Chief Pace said. “We know that the effectiveness of our profession can only be possible with the trust of the community in which we serve.”
As communities struggle with the emotions that arose from the injustice that occurred in Minneapolis and the wave of both peaceful and violent protests across the nation which followed, the Randolph Police Department denounces acts of violence but encourages community members to peacefully voice their opinion, as is their constitutional right.
In the coming days, Chief Pace will meet with community members and leaders to explain the department’s commitment to methods that keep Randolph safe while also guarding the constitutional protections of its people.
“I believe our officers have a great deal of community support in Randolph. We always value an open dialogue with members of our community on all matters, including how we can continue to evolve as a law enforcement organization,” Chief Pace said.
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