“The behavior of the Minneapolis police officers involved in the death of George Floyd constitutes a complete failure of their sworn oath to serve and protect all. I condemn their actions and offer my sincerest condolences to the family of George Floyd,” said Mayor Charles C. Kokoros.
The Town of Braintree prides itself on being an inclusive community that serves all residents without regard for race, color, creed, age, gender, national origin, ancestry, religion, genetics, disability, sexual orientation or military status. This sentiment is exemplified by the actions of all Town departments, including the Braintree Police Department and the Braintree Public School Department.
“The actions, or inactions, of these Minneapolis police officers are not representative of the actions of all police officers across the nation, yet their misconduct has the broad sweeping effect of diminishing the public’s trust and confidence in law enforcement,” said Mayor Kokoros. Allegations of biased based policing or discriminatory practices of any kind are detrimental to our relationship with the community as they go against the basic foundation of public trust.
“I have the utmost confidence in the men and women of the Braintree Police Department’s unwavering commitment to protecting and serving our community,” said Braintree Police Chief Mark Dubois. “Alongside my colleagues in the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, I denounce the actions, or inactions, taken by four members of the Minneapolis Police Department and the Braintree Police Department remains committed to professional conduct, democratic policing and procedural justice for all people.” The Braintree Police Department is steadfast in its commitment to protecting the constitutional and civil rights of all citizens and will not tolerate any instances of biased based policing in the service to our community. “When putting on the badge and uniform, all officers pledge a fundamental duty in accordance with our Law Enforcement Code of Ethics to serve mankind, to safeguard lives and property, to protect the innocent against deceptions, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or disorder, and to respect the Constitutional Rights of all individuals to liberty, equality and justice,” said Chief Dubois.
“With the events we currently face as a nation and Commonwealth, it is important to us as a school department to re-affirm our unwavering commitment to create and support an environment that protects and promotes the physical, social, and emotional health of all of our students, families and staff," said Superintendent Frank Hackett. “As a school community we embrace our diversity first and foremost because we believe in the inherent dignity and worth of all people; we also do so because we know that standing up for the individuals who make up our community makes us all stronger. We are here in support of all of our children and their families to ensure that every member of our school-community not only feels welcome, but that they feel loved and respected.”
The First Amendment affords us the right to free speech and assembly, the importance of which is only heightened as matters of social injustice are brought to the forefront. Our hope is that these assemblies are conducted in a way that allows the true message of the people to be heard, without further acts of violence, so that we may continue this important dialogue as a community. “We are living in uncertain times and now more than ever we must come together. Thank you to all the Braintree Residents who have expressed themselves peacefully, supported their neighbors and included everyone in every aspect of daily life in a safe and respectful manner,” said Town Council President Shannon Hume.
“There is no place for hate, racism and injustice in our country and we as leaders must continue to fight against injustice and maintain the high standards of ethics and integrity that our community expects and deserves. When any of our residents feel threatened, unsafe, or devalued, it concerns us all,” said Mayor Kokoros.