SEYMOUR — The following statement was posted on the Seymour Police Department’s Facebook page Monday night:
June 01, 2020
To the Seymour Community,
Last Monday, George Floyd, a resident of Minneapolis, Minnesota, died while in the custody of the Minneapolis Police. Please rest assured that we, the men and women of the Seymour Police Department, do not condone the actions of the officers involved. The video that we have all seen multiple times in the news media is unfathomable. Just like each of you, we are appalled and profoundly disgusted with the actions or lack thereof of the Police Officers involved with this situation.
To each of us it is incomprehensible that a human life was lost in the fashion and manner that we have seen. There is no place in society, let alone in law enforcement, where this incident should have occurred. These officers were to protect and serve their communities; instead they failed in the most egregious way possible. These rogue officers must be dealt with immediately, swiftly and be held accountable for their acts of injustice.
However, we must not let the actions of a few officers in the law enforcement profession define who we are. The Seymour Police Department has worked hard to foster and build a partnership with our community. We have and will continue to serve as “Guardians” of the community. There are great officers in the Seymour Police Department and other law enforcement agencies that come to work on a daily basis. These officers protect and serve their communities with dignity, honor and pride. No matter the circumstance, we promise we will continue to do so in a professional, ethical and moral standard.
In closing, the death of George Floyd, has been tough for all of us to watch. His death should have never occurred as it did and it is incumbent on each of us to ensure this never happens again. Our condolences, thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Floyd’s family, friends and community. We all feel the anguish and pain with the death of George Floyd. However, we must not let this divide our community or nation. I realize public trust in law enforcement has been compromised. However, we must continue to work together, build relationships and foster partnerships and find solutions to prevent these actions from occurring again. I am confident we can do this TOGETHER in a peaceful and safe manner.
On behalf of the men and women of the Seymour Police Department we look forward to being a part of the change for the betterment of our Seymour community and nation.
Respectfully,
Paul J. Satkowski
Chief of Police
Seymour Police Department
