Cop Turned Dem Rep: What The Hell Are Police Doing?

Rep. Val Demings writes for the Washington Post:

As a former woman in blue, let me begin with my brothers and sisters in blue: What in the hell are you doing? I joined the Orlando Police Department when I was 26 years old — a young black woman, fresh out of an early career in social work.

We all know that the level of force must meet the level of resistance. We all can see that there was absolutely zero resistance from George Floyd. He posed no threat to anyone, especially law enforcement.

Why do bad things happen? Bad mind, bad heart or bad policy? The painful cries of Eric Garner will be with us forever. Now, George Floyd’s pleas for help will, too. I cannot begin to understand how any officer could ignore the painful pleas we heard from Floyd — or from anyone suffering.

Read the full essay.