Minneapolis police officers share open letter condemning officer who knelt on George Floyd's neck

St. Paul and Minneapolis firefighters take a knee outside of the Trask Worship Center following the memorial service for George Floyd
Getty Images

Fourteen Minneapolis police officers penned an open letter condemning the actions of their colleague who was involved in the death of George Floyd.

The officers promised to evolve and said their former colleague Derek Chauvin had "failed as a human".

Chauvin was dismissed from the police force and charged with second-degree murder after footage emerged of him kneeling on the neck of 46-year-old African American while he pleaded for air.

The three other officers involved - Thomas Lane, J. Kueng and Tou Thao - have been charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

Mr Floyd's death sparked outrage and led to Black Lives Matter and anti-racism protests around the world.

In a letter obtained by the Star Tribune, fourteen officers said they had written an open letter to express "what the vast majority of Minneapolis Police Officers feel at this moment".

Police officers take the knee in support of George Floyd protesters

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"We wholeheartedly condemn Derek Chauvin," wrote the officers.

"We Are With You in the denouncement of Derek Chauvin's actions on Memorial Day. Like us Derek Chauvin took an oath to hold the sanctity of life most precious.

"Derek Chauvin failed as a human and stripped George Floyd of his dignity and life. This is not who we are."

The police officers stressed that they were not a union or administration, but "formal and informal" leaders from all ranks within the Minneapolis Police Department.

"We acknowledge that Chief Arradondo needs each of us to dutifully follow him while he shows us the way," said the officers.

"We stand ready to listen and embrace the calls for change, reform and rebuilding. We want to work with you and regain your trust."

Derek Chauvin has been charged with second-degree murder following the death of George Floyd
AFP / AP

The officers' pledge to work with the public comes after Texas police joined forces with protesters by heeding their request to take a knee.

The group of demonstrators in Fort Worth told police at the scene that they would go home if officers joined them in a show of solidarity.

The two groups then shook hands and even exchanged hugs before leaving the area as promised.

Texas officers took a knee in support of anti-racism protesters
Aleeia Abraham

Police officers across the US have taken a knee down during demonstrations to show solidarity with anti-racism protesters.

On Wednesday Chief Medaria Arradondo announced initial steps in what he said would be transformational reforms to the agency in the wake of Mr Floyd’s death.

Faced with calls from activists and a majority of City Council members to dismantle or defund the department, Mr Arradondo also said he would use a new system to identify problem officers early and intervene.

“We will have a police department that our communities view as legitimate, trusting and working with their best interests at heart,” he said at a news conference.

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