Metro East Sun

Edwardsville's police chief appreciated protesters who have been demonstrating peacefully while calling for reforms and equality and supported those voices being heard. 

Police Chief Jay Keeven's comments came in a statement published on Advantage.com on June 8 following local protests over the death of Geroge Floyd at the hands of now-former white Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in May, which was captured on video. 

“A well-attended protest was held at the steps of the Madison County Courthouse in Edwardsville today [June 8]," Keeven said in the statement. "This was a peaceful event, which allowed the voices of those crying out against police use of excessive force and social injustice to be heard loud and clear. Members of the Edwardsville Police Department support the rights of peaceful protestors, and we support the call to end excessive force and social injustice."

Chauvin has been charged with murder. Three other Minneapolis officers who were on the scene have also been released and charged with crimes related to the incident that has sparked nationwide calls for policing reforms and racial equality. 

“Neither racial prejudice nor biased policing is welcome in our community and certainly not tolerated within our police department," the police chief said in his statement. "We strive to hire individuals who will perform their duties in a fair and impartial manner, without bias. Our officers are well-trained in proper use of force, appropriate restraint tactics and de-escalation techniques."

Protests in Edwardsville have been almost uniformly peaceful, The Edwardsville Intelligencer reported on June 5, which Keeven acknowledged in an earlier statement issued June 1.

In his June 1statement, Keeven assured the town and protesters that his department respected the rights of people "to have their collective voices heard."

"We share in their grief, frustration and anger over the death of Mr. Floyd," Keeven said in his June 1 statement. "Our officers have worked hard to develop a strong collaborative relationship with the members of our community. We have trained often in the appropriate use of force, safely taking individuals into custody and de-escalation techniques."