Camden County Police Stand With Citizens After Chauvin Verdict

CAMDEN COUNTY, NJ — Following the announcement of a verdict in the trial of Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin on Tuesday — Chauvin was found guilty of murdering George Floyd last Memorial Day — Camden County Police Chief Gabe Rodriguez said the police department stood in solidarity with the people of Minneapolis.

“Former officer Derek Chauvin murdered George Floyd, and a jury of his peers rendered that verdict,” Rodriguez said. “While tonight’s decision can never make up for the heinous act of excessive force the nation witnessed, I join our community and the nation writ large in hoping that it puts us on the path to progress in America.”

Floyd’s death touched off a nationwide summer of protests, one of which former Camden County Police Chief Joe Wysocki participated in. It was a show of solidarity between the city and the police department, and Rodriguez reiterated that commitment Tuesday night. Read more here: Camden Offers Picture Of Police Unity After George Floyd’s Death

“At the Camden County Police Department, we have tirelessly worked to nurture a culture in the agency, and adopt policies, grounded in a direct and unbreakable partnership with our community,” Rodriguez said. “We have worked to build bridges with our residents and work alongside them and their efforts to enhance the city and improve the quality of life in Camden. Our daily training puts the sanctity of human life above all other considerations when interacting with our neighbors, and we continue to keep a sacred creed of service before self.

“From our use of force policy to our scoop and run directive we believe that all life is important and that while we have come a long way in the last eight years we need to continue to get better and ensure that a Chauvin-like incident never happens in our city. There is no question, the behavior and force used against George Floyd that brought an end to his life was verboten and has no place in policing. Now, police executives, I included, need to ensure that it never happens again.”

Chauvin, 45, was convicted of second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter in Floyd's death. Read more here: Jury Finds Derek Chauvin Guilty On All Counts In Death Of Floyd

“In Camden County, we have worked to build a police department, and a culture within the agency, anchored in the sanctity of human life - no one person’s wellbeing or life is more important than another and all life is important,” Camden County Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr. said. “We train officers to ensure that the use of force is always a last resort and if force is used it will immediately be reviewed by a supervisor during the officer’s shift. Furthermore, we have officers that travel around the nation teaching de-escalation tactics to other departments, and we know that time and space is imperative to resolving issues peacefully. In addition, in 2019, we codified the duty to intervene in our use of force policy, meaning if an officer is not following protocols and procedures their colleagues need to step in to stop it or accept culpability for the other officer’s actions. These progressive policies ensure we will never put someone’s life in danger the way Chauvin did. In short, our officers are guardians and not warriors.”

Cappelli said he hopes Tuesday’s verdict is the first step in a process of holding people accountable and making reforms necessary to make policing in America work for all Americans.

“It is important to acknowledge that the verdict rendered in this trial does not alleviate the pain caused to George Floyd’s family, friends, or community, nor does it bring him back to this Earth to be with them again,” Cappelli said. “Still, the administration of justice is a vitally important component of American life and civil society, one which for far too long has favored some and systematically disadvantaged others. This verdict created sunshine where there was none and was a transparent display that no one is above the law.”

William Bornhoft contributed to this report.