On Friday evening, Fort Myers Police Chief Derrick Diggs issued a statement addressing the death of George Floyd.
"As a 40-year law enforcement professional, I trust that justice will ultimately be served in Minneapolis against the officers involved in this tragic incident, as their actions or inactions are unacceptable and would not be tolerated in Fort Myers," Diggs said in a Facebook post on the department's page.
Diggs' statement comes the same day officials announced the arrest of a now-fired Minneapolis Police Department officer.
In a video shot by a bystander, ex-officer Derek Chauvin is seen pressing his knee on Floyd’s neck while the man gasps for air with his face against the pavement.
Floyd then lost consciousness and was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced Friday afternoon that Chauvin has been taken into custody and charged with 3rd degree murder, as well as manslaughter.
Referencing an effort to build bridges between FMPD and the community, the chief also mentioned ways that his department has worked to strengthen relationships with the Fort Myers community.
"In my effort to build the community’s trust, I ensure the Fort Myers Police Department continuously provides ongoing training to ensure our officers are current with the ever-changing case law, technology, applied tactical procedures, and attitude regarding fair and impartial policing," Diggs wrote Friday evening.
You can read the full statement posted on Facebook below:
Video shows Floyd gasping for air with his face against the pavement. Floyd then lost consciousness and was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
