Seven Minneapolis police officers have had enough and are quitting the police force, with another seven about to quit:
USA TODAY – At least seven Minneapolis police officers have quit and another seven are in the process of resigning, citing a lack of support from department and city leaders as protests over George Floyd’s death escalated.
Current and former officers told The Minneapolis Star Tribune that officers are upset with Mayor Jacob Frey’s decision to abandon the Third Precinct station amid the protests. Demonstrators set the building on fire after officers left.
Protesters also hurled bricks and insults at officers. Numerous officers and protesters have been injured.
Officers “don’t feel appreciated,” said Mylan Masson, a retired Minneapolis officer and use-of-force expert. “Everybody hates the police right now. I mean everybody.”
Deputy Chief Henry Halvorson said in an email to supervisors this month that some officers have simply walked off the job without filing the proper paperwork, creating confusion about who is still working and who isn’t.
Who can blame these officers for quitting after being abandoned by the mayor and a majority of the city council, who want to completely dismantle the police department. They are under more scrutiny now that ever and their hands are being tied by public officials, which could put their own lives at risk.
Also these public officials are helping foment more hatred for police among the citizenry, who are rightly outraged at what happened to George Floyd. They are smearing all of the Minneapolis police officers together with Derek Chauvin and the officers who didn’t stop him from killing Floyd.
I wouldn’t be surprised if half of the police force resigns and moves out of Minneapolis, finding a much calmer town or city to continue their noble profession.