STOW — Acting Stow Police Chief Michael Sallese and the men and women of the Stow Police Department wish to relate to the community that they strongly denounce the actions of Minneapolis police officers that last week resulted in the death of George Floyd.
“We must never forget that police officers are supposed to be lifesavers not life-takers and that any use of force against another human being must be measured against the immediate danger to all people involved. This is how police are supposed to train in the 21st century, and it is how every Stow police officer trains,” Chief Sallese said. “The death of George Floyd is a tragedy, made all the more upsetting by the fact that it was clearly the result of police actions that reflect either woefully inadequate training or willful misconduct resulting in the loss of human life. This is not acceptable. Police must be better.”
Acting Chief Sallese, who grew up in Stow, is one of many Stow police officers and police employees who feels a strong connection to the community and knows many of its residents. The members of the Stow Police Department approach their job every day with the fact in mind that they will be held to a high standard by the members of the community.
“We can only be an effective police department if we have the faith and trust of our community, something our agency has worked hard at lately,” Chief Sallese said. “This is a principle of law enforcement training that we take very seriously. We are public servants and we must approach every situation with the highest regard for human life.”
The Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, representing Police Chiefs in all 351 cities and towns and most college campuses has also denounced the egregious actions taken by four members of the Minneapolis Police Department, whether by action or inaction, that resulted in the death of George Floyd on May 25. Massachusetts Police Officers have thoroughly embraced the six pillars of the principles embodied in the final report of President Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing, and remain committed to professional conduct, democratic policing and procedural justice for all people.
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