Cherokee Sheriff Speaks Out About Keeping Trust, George Floyd

CHEROKEE COUNTY, GA — Cherokee Sheriff Frank Reynolds took to social media this weekend to address how his department is responding to the death of George Floyd.

On Thursday, Reynolds posted on the Cherokee Sheriff's Office Facebook page his thoughts on the recent death of Floyd.

"Once again there is a dim shadow cast upon the profession of law enforcement due to the actions of a few," Reynolds wrote. "There is very little about our profession that is pretty. People don’t call 911 to ask us to come to their house for their family BBQ. They do, however, call us when the drinking gets out of hand and tempers fly, and they want us to come fix their problem. But that’s what we do…we chose to put on the badge.

Cops listen up…We get paid to be brilliant in advance. What does that mean? It means we have to determine the outcome of a situation before it happens. I don’t mean while in route to the call…I mean days, months, and years in advance. Your choices have to be predetermined through your training and your inner dialog. What would I do?"

This is why training is important, he said, not just the firearms proficiency or the defensive tactics skills, or what is called, “tactics of intervention.”

Deputies, as an individual, a shift, an agency, and as a profession must predetermine the outcome of a situation by knowing three things:

1. Know yourself: Know your physical and emotional limitations. Know when your ego overrides your better judgment and learn to know when to ask for help.
2. Know your partner: Know when you need to intervene to save your partner from himself/herself. Simply standing by and hoping a situation is going to get better is not an excuse. If someone, cop or not, is trying to intercede on your behalf, know when to let them help.
3. Know your organization: It is your job to build trust within an organization and the community. If you think that is solely the responsibility of just the chief, the sheriff, or your command staff, you need to reevaluate your thought process. It is your responsibility too. When you are on the street, you are the chief and the sheriff.

"To my public safety friends, we build trust through meaningful relationships and partnerships with our communities," Reynolds said. "Thankfully, we live in a community that does support us.
To my community, please don’t paint our portrait with a broad brush. Together we are stronger."

Then on Sunday, Reynolds posted on Facebook again his reaction to watching the video showing the death of George Floyd:

As I watched the video, I felt myself entering into the screen, rushing over and stopping time. With time frozen, I see myself grabbing the officer by the collar and standing him up. I want to peer into his eyes and ask, “Why?”

I want to shake him and pour into his soul the profound hurt of a nation. I want him to look into the future and see the senseless pain he had caused. Not only to George, but our nation as a whole. Black, white, Hispanic, Asian…

I want for him to see how he has tarnished the badge, a shield that should symbolize trust and confidence.

I want those that are complicit to see the inevitability of doing nothing. I want them to understand that they have a duty and obligation to intercede on the behalf of those that cannot.

As I drift back to my phone and stare at the screen, I can’t help but ask, “Why?”

My job, as your Sheriff is to ensure we are doing everything we can to mitigate that risk.

You have my commitment that we are, and that we always will, strive to keep our badge a symbol of trust and confidence.

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