Sarasota Police Chief 'Shocked And Outraged' By George Floyd Case

SARASOTA, FL — Sarasota Police Chief Bernadette DiPino spoke out Saturday night against the events leading up to the death of George Floyd.

"I was shocked and outraged by the actions and conduct of the Minneapolis police officer and the inaction of the other officers I observed on the video," DiPino said in a statement. "The senseless death of Mr. Floyd is tragic, heartbreaking and never should have happened."

DiPino took action earlier this week to suspend the use of a neck restraint in the days following the death of the high school football star, who can be seen on video struggling to breathe and pleading for help as a Minnesota police officer pressed his knee deep into Floyd's neck. See also Sarasota Police Suspend Restraint Technique

"The men and women of the Sarasota Police Department are not trained to use tactics I’ve seen in the videos in Minneapolis," the chief said. " The actions of the officers in Minneapolis were inexcusable."

The former high school football star's death touched off several days of violent protests in Minnesota and sparked protests across the United States.

DiPino suspended her department's use of a technique described as a vascular neck restraint on May 27 though officials insisted it was nothing like the technique used on Floyd.

The Sarasota Police Department's procedure permitted officers who were trained in the vascular neck restraint technique to use it on any person who demonstrated "active physical resistance to resist arrest" and who appeared to have the ability to physically harm the officer or others, if the use of lesser force was not likely to "achieve safe control of the subject."

The neck restraint technique compresses the carotid arteries and jugular veins, according to the suspended Sarasota procedure.

"No where in our policy at SPD does it mention an officer can use a leg or knee to administer a VNR," Judge said. She said she did not know if the suspension of the technique would be permanent.

"As your police chief, I promise you that we will continue to be professional, transparent and compassionate as we continue to partner with you, your families and your neighbors to keep our community safe," DiPino said in her statement.