Police leaders across America are criticising recent comments made by Donald Trump that appeared to encourage police brutality.
"When you see these thugs being thrown into the back of a paddy wagon, you just see them thrown in, rough, and I said, 'Please don’t be too nice,'" Trump said during a speech to New York cops on Friday. "Like when you guys put somebody in the car and you’re protecting their head, you know, the way you put their hand over, like, don’t hit their head and they’ve just killed somebody. Don’t hit their head, I said, ‘You can take the hand away, OK?'"
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The president's comments were met with applause from the audience.
Police chiefs and leaders are already facing criticism and distrust due to the multiple shootings of unarmed civilians, specifically black men and women. Many made a swift effort to distance themselves from Trump's inflammatory rhetoric.
"It’s the wrong message," Chuck Wexler, executive director of the Police Executive Research Forum, told Washington radio station WTOP. "The last thing we need is a green light from the President of the United States for officers to use unnecessary force."
Following Trump's speech, the International Association of Chiefs of Police published a blog post that detailed its use-of-force policies and training. The post emphasised that officers are trained to treat all individuals "with dignity and respect."
Police chiefs, leaders, and officers across the country took the social media to state that Trump's comments aren't a reflection of their own views.
The @POTUS made remarks today that endorsed and condoned police brutality.
— Gainesville Police (@GainesvillePD) July 29, 2017
GPD rejects these remarks and continues to serve with respect.
Portland Police Bureau officers are expected to treat everyone with dignity & respect, even when they are a suspect. https://t.co/f2bdGCIbcr
— Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) July 29, 2017
I'm a cop.
— Ben Tobias (@GPDBenTobias) July 28, 2017
I do not agree with or condone @POTUS remarks today on police brutality.
Those that applauded and cheered should be ashamed.
As a former Police Chief I am deeply disappointed and disturbed by President Trump's statement on use of force. pic.twitter.com/wh5l33hIvu
— Rep. Val Demings (@RepValDemings) July 29, 2017
Seattle Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole told ThePatch.com that moving forward and rebuilding trust between police and the community is crucial.
"Seattle’s police officers have embraced reform and have worked incredibly hard to build community trust. We do not intend to go backwards," O'Toole stated. "It is truly unfortunate that in today’s toxic environment, politicians at both ends of the spectrum have sought to inflame passions by politicising what we do. We remain committed to our principles and reject irresponsible statements that threaten to undermine our relationship with the community."
New York City Police Commissioner James O’Neill told CNN that to "suggest that police officers apply any standard in the use of force other than what is reasonable and necessary is irresponsible, unprofessional and sends the wrong message to law enforcement as well as the public."
Meanwhile, the group Blue Lives Matter was quick to jump to Trump's defense by describing his comments as "a joke."
Trump didn't tell police to go out & brutalize people as the media would have you believe. It was a joke. ?https://t.co/yBq6PGY0pa
— Blue Lives Matter (@bluelivesmtr) July 28, 2017