The Michigan Sheriffs' Association is condemning the Minneapolis Police Department for the death of George Floyd. In a statement posted on its Facebook Monday night, the board of directors for the MSA called the MPD’s actions “bad policing” and said those kinds of actions “will not be accepted or tolerated.”
The statement also emphasized that sheriff is the only law enforcement position to be elected, and that trust between a sheriff and citizen is crucial.
“We grieve for and stand with Mr. Floyd’s family, and call for justice and peace,” the statement said. “We stand with those peacefully redressing their government, and we stand with those seeking solutions. We seek them, too.”
Protests against police brutality have been spreading throughout Michigan. Demonstrations calling for justice for George Floyd have taken place in Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Lansing, among others.
Protesters in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti demonstrated last week after a Washtenaw County sheriff deputy was videoed punching a woman during an arrest.
Other Michigan sheriffs have expressed support for the protesters as well, like Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson. He made national headlines last week for removing his body armor and marching with protesters in Flint.
