By Russ Tarby

Contributing Writer

In an interdepartmental memo written on June 10 and delivered to the Village of Liverpool Board of Trustees, Liverpool Police Chief Don Morris addressed the death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man who died while in police custody on May 25, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

“I denounce the illegal behavior that led to the death of Mr. Floyd,” Morris wrote. “The officers’ actions involved in the tragic death of Mr. Floyd have caused everyone to have questions. I personally am disgusted and angered by their actions.”

Morris pointed out that the Liverpool Police Department is a state-accredited agency whose policies and procedures are reviewed by the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services. The LPD has utilized body cameras and in-car cameras since 2017.

“Our body camera policy requires activation on calls and is based on recommendations from the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office,” Morris wrote.

The chief wrote that his officers’ are well-trained regarding use of force.

“The LPD has de-escalation built into our use-of-force policy, and we train our officers on our policy,” he wrote.

Morris believes his officers are all capable of policing each other.

“The LPD also has a section regarding an officer’s duty to intercede, requiring any officer present and observing another officer using force that is clearly beyond that which is objectively reasonable under the circumstances shall intercede to prevent the use of unreasonable force,” he wrote.

Liverpool officers are trained in proper arrest procedures and are well-aware of the dangers of positional asphyxia, which apparently led to Floyd’s death in Minnesota.

The LPD follows accredited policies pertaining to civilian complaints. Morris specifically pointed to his department’s mission statement which states “We will treat the public the way we would like our family to be treated.”

May police stats

Chief Morris updated the village board of trustees via memo at its June 15 meeting on his department’s activities last month.

Officers made 80 traffic stops and issued 86 citations for violations of the state’s vehicle and traffic laws during May. In addition, two accidents were investigated.

Officers made 215 residential checks during the month while investigating a total of 485 complaints, incidents and calls for service.

The LPD also made 14 arrests last month.