The University of Minnesota has announced that it would limit its collaboration with Minneapolis Police Department.
This was disclosed in a letter to students, faculty and staff on Thursday May 28, 2020, by the the university’s president, Joan Gabel,
He expressed how heartbroken the university was over the gruesome killing of Floyd, 46, on Tuesday May 26, 2020.
“Our hearts are broken after watching the world appalling video capturing the actions of Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) officers against George Floyd leading to his tragic death,” she said.
“As a community, we are outraged and grief-stricken. I do not have the words to fully express my pain and anger and I know that many in our community share those feelings, but also fear for their own safety. This will not stand,” she added.
Gabel stated in the letter that she had directed Brian Burnett who is the university’s senior vice president to not “contract with the Minneapolis Police Department for additional law enforcement support needed for large events, such as football games, concerts and ceremonies” any longer.
Matt Clark, university’s chief of police, has similarly been instructed to not use the local police department any longer for special university events that require specialized services such as K-9 Explosive detection units.
Gabel in strong terms stated in the letter that the university is keen on upholding its responsibilities and values and that it is committed to honoring them.
On this account, she said, “We will limit our collaboration with the MPD to joint patrols and investigations that directly enhance the safety of our community or that allow us to investigate and apprehend those who put our students, faculty, and staff at risk.
“I write to you to express our overwhelming sadness, and our demands for accountability and justice.
“Our campuses and facilities are a part of the communities in which they reside. University students, staff, and faculty are day-to-day participants in the life of every community in this state, and we must act when our neighbors are harmed and in pain,” she reiterated.
However, while the four officers involved in Floyd’s killing have been fired following Floyd’s death, Minneapolis Mayor, Jacob Frey, has consequently demanded that the officer who kneeled on Floyd’s neck should be made to face criminal charges.
“Why is the man who killed George Floyd not in jail?
“If you had done it or I had done it, we would be behind bars right now,” said Frey.
Before his death, Floyd was seen in a video where an officer was kneeling down hard on Floyd’s neck. Floyd could be heard saying “I can’t breathe.”
