We asked for reader questions related to recent protests in Chattanooga over the death of 46-year-old black man, George Floyd.
A white police officer has been charged with killing him, and three other police officers have also been charged in connection.
A local reader asked Chattanooga Police Chief David Roddy:
“Chief of Police David Roddy has been supportive of the protests and verbal against the police abuse in Minneapolis. He has called for any officers of the law who don’t see an issue to quit. Have any of the Chattanooga police quit? How will Chief Roddy assure the community that there are no “bad actors” in his force? What will he do if one of them uses a neck restraint? Have they arrested anyone for looting or destruction of property and how will they be treated?”
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Roddy responded via email:
“No one has resigned from the Chattanooga Police Department over the statement I made. Your Officers are unified in recognizing that the treatment of George Floyd and his death is a tragedy. One that could have been avoided.
I can’t assure the community that there aren’t “bad actors” in this Department. But, I can assure our community that all CPD Officers receive extensive training on policy and procedure during their time in the academy, operationally during field training, and annually throughout their career during in-service training. This training better prepares more than 450 CPD Officers when they are required to make split-second decisions in active situations, some of which are extremely volatile and dangerous.
In some cases, a bad decision is made that violates policy and/or a person is subjected to unreasonable, excessive force. These are the officers that should be investigated. This is why I encourage community members to file complaints with the CPD Internal Affairs Unit. I expect our community members to help hold their officers accountable. And I encourage and expect community members to engage with officers who are working in their neighborhoods on a daily basis.
CPD does not teach any type of “neck restraint.” Any complaint of improper use of force or excessive use of force is investigated completely and thoroughly and Officers are disciplined accordingly. Unauthorized use of deadly force is not tolerated.
No one has been arrested for looting or destruction of property at this time. If anyone is arrested, they will be treated like human beings. Human beings who broke the law. Chattanooga Police Officers have sworn an oath to uphold the laws of this City and the State of Tennessee.
We have a duty and responsibility to our citizens to honor that oath and we take that very seriously.”
