For Immediate Release:
Town of Wilmington Wilmington Public Schools
121 Glen Road 161 Church Street
Wilmington, MA 01887 Wilmington, MA 01887
June 2, 2020
The Town of Wilmington has always strived to be a welcoming and inclusive community. Leaders of the community have always looked for ways to improve the lives of all residents and treat all equally.
Wilmington leaders including, Town Manager Jeffrey Hull, Superintendent Dr. Glenn Brand Police Chief Joseph Desmond, Fire Chief William Cavanaugh, Chairman of the Board of Selectman Gregory Bendel and the entire Board of Selectmen, and School Committee Chair Jennifer Bryson and the entire School Committee denounce the actions of the four Minneapolis Police officers and they join in the collective sense of national outrage and sorrow that the death of George Floyd has brought on our country.
“The video of the actions of the Minneapolis police officers leading to the death of George Floyd are horrifying to watch. Nothing in that video reflects the high training standards of a professional police officer whose job is to protect life,” Chief Desmond said. “The behavior of these officers does not reflect the training and professionalism of the men and women of the Wilmington Police Department.
The Wilmington Police Department undergoes regular training on subjects including, de-escalation techniques, mental health, diversity, fair and impartial policing and police legitimacy. This includes advanced training on proper techniques on restraining and apprehension.
Massachusetts police officers have thoroughly embraced the six pillars of the principles embodied in the final report of the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing, and remain committed to professional conduct, democratic policing and procedural justice for all people. The six pillars of building trust and legitimacy, policy and oversight, technology and social media, community policing and crime reduction and training and education help to guide the way we serve the entire community.
The men and women of the Wilmington Police Department strive to live by our core values of Compassion, Commitment, & Respect has and will continue to protect and serve all persons we interact with regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
As a community we urge that this is a time for dialogue and willingness to listen to each other and we will continue to work in partnership to ensure that the Wilmington community upholds a central commitment to building and establishing a town and citizenry built upon the foundations of inclusivity, civility and respect for all.
Jeffery M. Hull, Town Manager
Dr. Glenn Brand, Superintendent
Joseph A. Desmond, Chief of Police
William F. Cavanaugh, Fire Chief
Gregory B. Bendel, Chairman Board of Selectmen
Jennifer Bryson, Chair School Committee
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