The Cobb Police Department has released a video with officers and Chief Tim Cox reiterating previous statements the department has made condemning racism and police brutality.
Standing on the front steps of department headquarters in Marietta, a number officers also retook their oath of office.
Newly appointed Cobb Public Safety Director Randy Crider also spoke in the video, which is a little more than six minutes long.
Crider said the statements were not forced on the officers by any of their superiors, and Cox said the oath ceremony was even the idea of officers “to show the community the symbolism of how serious they are.”
In prepared remarks, Cox said he recently had a conversation with a pastor who told him that if one part of the body is hurting, then all the body is hurting.
“I think that’s what we’re experiencing in society,” Cox said. “All of society is hurting because one part is hurting.
“Our department will not stand for it, we will not tolerate it in any form,” Cox said, referring to racism and police brutality, “and we will not have it in the ranks of our department.”
On Tuesday, Cobb commissioners will consider a resolution to condemn racism in the county.
Thus far, several peaceful protests have taken place in Cobb to decry the death of George Floyd, a black man who was in Minneapolis police custody.
That incident sparked protests around the country that in many cases turned violent, including the city of Atlanta, which has had a curfew for nearly a week.
On Friday, an interfaith coalition of Atlanta clergy urged Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms to “demilitarize” the law enforcement presence in the city, including removing Georgia National Guard troops ordered by Gov. Brian Kemp.
More protests are taking place over the weekend in Cobb County.
On Saturday, several Marietta churches are holding a “Prayer & Peaceful Protest Rally” at 10 a.m at Zion Baptist Church, 165 Lemon Street, near downtown Marietta.
A group called Cobb County BLM Resources said there will be a rally at 2 p.m. Saturday at Lassiter High School, near the Smoothie King.
Related content
- Cobb commissioners to consider anti-racism resolution
- At East Cobb rally, ‘honking’ support for Black Lives Matter
- Cobb Police Chief: ‘No room’ for racism, injustice or brutality
- Cobb Police issues joint statement about planned protests
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