Haddonfield Police Stress Community Relations

HADDONFIELD, NJ — Haddonfield Police Chief Jason Cutler and Director of Public Safety Colleen Bianco Bezich are encouraging communication between police and the community in the aftermath of the police-involved death of a Minnesota man that has sparked violence across the country.

George Floyd was killed by a Minneapolis police officer who was kneeling on his neck for several minutes. Floyd, who was handcuffed and laying under a police car, died telling police he couldn't breathe. Their joint statement can be seen in full below:

“This week, the Haddonfield Police Department was deeply saddened and disturbed by the murder of George Floyd. Over the past few months, as we also mourned the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor, we have sought to process these horrific crimes and confront the racial injustice that motivates similar actions in communities throughout our country. We do not condone the actions or omissions of the officers involved in these events. Instead, we condemn them.

“Our Department encourages open communication between officers & citizens in order to build and sustain community partnerships & trust. In upholding our mission, we strive to interact positively with our entire community, and create lasting relationships that enhance law enforcement, crime prevention & quality of life. This community policing philosophy means that in the coming days, weeks, and months, we will engage in more outreach and an ongoing dialogue about racial injustice, including the ways in which our own law enforcement officers can and will improve our capacity to recognize and respond to incidents of racial bias.

“To those who are angry, frustrated, hopeless and in mourning, we hear you — and we are here for you. We encourage everyone in our Borough of Haddonfield to partner with us as we move forward.”