Whitpain’s Chief of Police issues statement on death of George Floyd in Minnesota

Several suburban Philadelphia police chiefs have released statements on the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier this week after a police officer held him down by kneeling on his neck for more than eight minutes.

Yesterday, Whitpain Township’s Chief of Police Ken Lawson did so as well stating, “We all want to see justice for Mr. Floyd as do many other law enforcement officers that have shared their disgust, disappointment and sadness with me.”

Below is the statement from Chief Lawson:

The death of George Floyd, which occurred on Monday on a street in Minneapolis, is an affront to all of us. No person should ever be treated in such a manner, let alone by law enforcement officers. Words are not enough in this situation, but words are all that I can offer today. On behalf of my fellow officers in the Whitpain Township Police Department, I offer condolences to Mr. Floyd’s family and friends. Let me be very clear, Mr. Floyd should still be with us today.

I struggled watching the video of the incident. I just could not comprehend or justify the actions of the four police officers at the scene. We all want to see justice for Mr. Floyd as do many other law enforcement officers that have shared their disgust, disappointment and sadness with me.

I have been a police officer in Whitpain for more than 35 years and have proudly led the Department since 2015. For as long as I have been an officer in the Township, we have strived to work with the community to improve the quality of life for all of our residents. We are committed to treating everyone who lives in or passes through our Township equally. That begins with a deep respect for all human beings. The Whitpain Township Police Department will always maintain proper respect for everyone in the community.

Our officers are committed to continuing what has served us well in this community for generations. That means providing superior police service in a professional and courteous manner. I cannot guarantee that there will not be other incidents like this in our country; however, I can guarantee that our Department will honor the memory of Mr. Floyd by serving our community professionally, courteously and respectfully.

Photo: Chief Lawson (white shirt) with three newly sworn-in officers in 2019.