Butler County police official: George Floyd’s death resulted from ‘totally unacceptable police work’

Middletown Police officer Earl Nelson talks to Jaden Thomas, 10, left, and Kayron Edwards, 12, as he patrols the Sherman Park area Friday, Aug. 3, 2012 in Middletown. Staff photo by Nick Graham

Credit: Nick Graham

Credit: Nick Graham

Middletown Police officer Earl Nelson talks to Jaden Thomas, 10, left, and Kayron Edwards, 12, as he patrols the Sherman Park area Friday, Aug. 3, 2012 in Middletown. Staff photo by Nick Graham

The highest-ranking black member of the Middletown Division of Police called the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis “totally unacceptable police work” that resulted from tactics his department is trained not to do.

Sgt. Earl Nelson is one of many black officials in Butler County the Journal-News is engaging in conversations this week about the death of Floyd and the resulting protests.

Nelson said that protests have “been part of our country, and it’s the best way to bring about change.”

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But to have violence in protests, he said, does not help the messages of seeking change and one of the steps in helping heal  is having more minority officers hired by departments. That would “be a tremendous help,” he said.

Michael Bailey, pastor at Faith United Church in downtown Middletown and former police chaplain, said he feels he has been profiled in the past as a black resident.

“It’s out there, I could do all the right things but this still could be my last breath,” he said.

He said the church needs to be “the lighthouse and the source of truth and the source of healing.” He added that protests allow people to be heard.

“We have a right to be angry (about) all the injustices,” he said.

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