Howard County Police Chief Lisa Myers On George Floyd's Death: 'These Types Of Incidents Embarrass Our Profession'
COLUMBIA, Md. (WJZ) -- Howard County's police chief has joined a growing number of law enforcement officials voicing concerns about the way several Minneapolis police officers handled an arrest that ended with the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died while in police custody.
Police Chief Lisa Myers and several other officers joined in a protest in the county Tuesday evening, calling for an end to police brutality in the wake of Floyd's death.
WJZ COMPLETE COVERAGE: George Floyd's Death And Its Impacts In Maryland
- George Floyd Death: Maryland Leaders Condemn Deadly Arrest Caught On Video
- Police Chief: Officers Who 'Don't Have An Issue' With Floyd Arrest Should Turn In Badges
- George Floyd Death: Baltimore Police Officers Kneel During Monday's Protests, Crowd Erupts With Cheers
- Gov. Hogan Says 'Fringe Groups Trying To Incite Violence' Have No Place In Baltimore, Thanks Community & Leaders For Peaceful Protests
- George Floyd Death: Baltimore A 'National Example' Of How To Protest Peacefully, Young Says
- George Floyd Death: Baltimore Police Commissioner Says Video Was 'Disgusting And Shocking To The Conscience'
- George Floyd Death: Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan Says It's Not Fair To Compare With Freddie Gray Case
- More Coverage
Myers told WJZ she feels the protesters' hurt and their pain, adding the way Floyd's arrest and subsequent death were unacceptable.
"These types of incidents embarrass our profession," she said. "And we want to show them that we support them and their legal ability to be out and to protest and to have a forum to have their voices heard."
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball also protested. He said, in part:
"The youth-led demonstration today had many calls to action and we must all work together to create the change we seek. Now, it is more important than ever that residents have the opportunity for their voices to be heard, the freedom to peacefully protest and organize, and the ability to demand we do better as a community.
As a county that prides itself on inclusion and civility, it remains our responsibility to collaborate, encourage and create an open dialogue to improve race-relations and institute changes that improve the quality of life for not only current, but future generations. Change will only come locally if we work to encourage our friends and neighbors to do the same."
Hundreds of demonstrators took part in the youth-led march one day after a similar protest in Baltimore.
The officer who knelt on Floyd's neck during the arrest, Derek Chauvin, has since been fired and charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter.
On Tuesday, the Minnesota Department of Human Rights announced a civil rights investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department in the wake of Floyd's death.
Read the latest coverage of the George Floyd protests in Minneapolis from WCCO-TV | CBS Minnesota.
