Brentwood: Several officers from Police department across the region cheered as Trump made a remark which was criticized by many others. During a speech to police officers in Brentwood, Long Island, on Friday, US President Donald Trump advocated police brutality in dealing with the suspects.
Meanwhile, Law enforcement authorities and civil rights organizations across the country criticized US President’s gesture, reports Democracy Now.
President Donald Trump: “And when you see these towns and when you see these thugs being thrown into the back of a paddy wagon—you just see them thrown in, rough—I said, ‘Please don’t be too nice.’ Like when you guys put somebody in the car, and you’re protecting their head, you know, the way you put the handover? Like, don’t hit their head, and they’ve just killed somebody, don’t hit their head. I said, ‘You can take the hand away, OK?'”
How did some react:
The Gainesville, Florida, Police Department tweeted, “The @POTUS made remarks today that endorsed and condoned police brutality. GPD rejects these remarks and continues to serve with respect.”
The Suffolk County Police Department tweeted, “As a department, we do not and will not tolerate roughing up of prisoners.”
The International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Police Foundation have also criticized Trump’s remarks, as did police chiefs in Boston, New Orleans, Houston, Los Angeles and New York.
Some critics, however, did not show concerns. Samuel Sinyangwe from the Use of Force Project tweeted, “Statements from police chiefs saying they don’t tolerate police violence ring hollow when their policies condone it.” We’ll have more on Trump’s speech later in the broadcast.