Centre County’s representatives, opponents share views on Floyd, police brutality and more
Pinned to the ground, George Floyd’s last words, “I can’t breathe,” have led to worldwide protests with millions demanding action against police brutality, racism and systematic oppression.
Floyd — a 46-year-old Black man — died after a former Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, after being reported for purchasing cigarettes with a counterfeit $20 bill. Seventeen minutes after cops arrived to the scene, Floyd was unconscious.
Protesters have put government and law officials in the spotlight as they call for national reform, giving voice to a longstanding history of unarmed African Americans killed by police officers.
Responding to widespread push for reform, the Centre Daily Times reached out to five officials with offices in Centre County — and their opponents in the November general election — to ask about their reaction to civil unrest across the country. They were asked about their reaction to Floyd’s death, what — if any — changes should be made to law enforcement policies and about President Donald Trump’s threat to call on the Insurrection Act of 1807 — a 213-year-old law that allows the president to use military force against citizens to restore peace.
Officials were contacted June 5 and had until noon Wednesday to respond either by email or phone.
Republican challenger Stephen Yetsko, running in the 77th Legislative District, did not respond to multiple requests for comment. State Rep. Stephanie Borowicz, R-McElhattan, declined to comment due to a “very busy” schedule, a spokeswoman said.
15th Congressional District
U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-Howard Township, said he is glad that justice is being served against the officers who abused their power. He hopes nothing like Floyd’s death ever happens again.
Invoking the Insurrection Act of 1807 would be a “step too far,” Thompson said, adding that local law enforcement know their jurisdiction best and can operate to ensure protesters their First Amendment rights and safety while “tamping down” those who seek to cause violence and destruction.
“It is my hope that police departments will continue to engage communities in partnership to examine their own policies,” Thompson said. “In this case, what empowered the officers to think their gruesome treatment of a restrained man, George Floyd, was acceptable?”
Democratic challenger Robert Williams, a former EMT from Clearfield County, said the first line of police should be nonlethal. He thinks a lack of discipline and punishment is being transferred into the “real world” by the “30-something generation.”
“Officers carry Tasers, and these could have been used,” he said. “All officers in the country should be trained the same way, in the same manner for similar situations.”
Williams also thinks police department budgets should be increased, allowing them to hire better qualified officers. He also suggested a mandatory 8-12 hours of counseling per pay period for every officer.
Cost, he said, is “negligible” if it helps prevent another death.
“Many times an officer gets fired from one department and because of prior experience, gets hired as a lateral transfer to another police department,” he said. “So, one department loses a bad apple, and due to lack of qualified candidates, another department picks this less qualified officer up.”
76th Legislative District
Borowicz’s Democratic challenger Joe Waltz said he watched the video of Floyd pleading for help in “extreme sadness.”
Believing that most protests — including local demonstrations — have been peaceful, Waltz said there is no need for Trump to enact the Insurrection Act.
“I believe a majority of law enforcement personnel are caring and devoted public servants who are sympathetic to the George Floyd incident and its aftermath,” he said. “However, this is one of too many such incidents that have taken place, and the underlying issues need to be addressed on a structural level to ensure our society lives up to the promise of providing equal protections under the law.”
Policies and programs should encourage law enforcement to build better relationships with the people in the communities they serve, Waltz said. In order to do that, cops need to study and learn how to recognize racial bias and its effect on their work. He added that that police should reassess when to use force and wear body cameras for accountability purposes.
“Some departments already have such policies in place, and I am hopeful that these will be reemphasized and reevaluated in light of unfolding events,” he said. “Ultimately, learning from and being accountable to one another will help us build stronger, safer communities that are just for all residents living in them.”
77th Legislative District
“Shocked and outraged” by the video of Floyd, state Rep. Scott Conklin, D-Rush Township, believes most protests have been peaceful — with the exception of “a few people who took advantage of the situation.”
“I am most proud of our State College community and how they peacefully expressed themselves on two occasions,” Conklin said. “As for the Insurrection Act, I do not believe our military should be used against our citizens.”
Conklin believes chokeholds should be banned and all law enforcement prospects should be emotionally evaluated before being hired.
“There also needs to be ongoing support for our police force to help them cope with the difficulties they face,” he said. “It is a shame that a few bad apples have tarnished the great reputation of those who protect and serve.”
81st Legislative District
State Rep. Rich Irvin, R-Spruce Creek, thinks the killing of Floyd was a “senseless act” that does not represent all law enforcement.
“Racism and discrimination are not yet eradicated from our nation,” he said. “We see examples weekly in the news; there is more work to be done.”
Irvin attended a peaceful gathering in memory of Floyd, and attendees agreed the event would disband if it “got out of control.” Though he thinks most protests have been peaceful, Irvin said he could be supportive of Trump calling on the Insurrection Act if “rioting and the destruction of property families spent their lives building” would continue.
Looking to the future, Irvin said it is important to ensure education and economic equality and competence and correctness in the criminal justice system.
“Racism is not partisan; it is about being human and treating others as you want treated yourself,” he said.
Democratic challenger Ian Kidd described the force used by the former officers against Floyd as “horrific” and thinks any law enforcement official or office seeker should be required to watch the video to ensure its contents aren’t repeated.
“Police recruits and correctional officers in training must experience what it feels like to be pepper sprayed,” Kidd said. “This practice stems from the notion that groups within society which are imbued with authority must understand the potential magnitude of their decisions on the population they are sworn to protect.”
Kidd participated in a candlelight vigil in Huntingdon to honor Floyd’s life. He said the majority of demonstrations have been peaceful and does not support any invocation of the Insurrection Act, describing “civil disobedience” as a “patriotic act.”
“When those in positions of power are silent in the face of injustice, the population must utilize the power inherent within their position as citizens to demand justice be enacted,” he said. “Quelling the opportunity for civilians to demonstrate is unconstitutional and undemocratic.”
Kidd agrees with outlawing the use of chokeholds on suspects and thinks it is unacceptable for officers, like Tao Thao and Derek Chauvin, with “so many glaring examples of misjudgment” to continue working in law enforcement. Mental health professionals’ role in community policing should also expand to training and crisis situations, he said.
With videos documenting cases of police brutality and excessive use of force, Kidd said body cameras must be in operation during any interaction between an officer and a civilian.
“These innovations will help but not solve the issues of disparity within society,” he said.
171st Legislative District
State Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, R-Bellefonte, said what happened to Floyd was wrong.
“I was appalled and saddened as I watched the footage and agree with the decision to immediately fire and charge the officers,” he said. “This cannot happen again.”
United States citizens have the right to protest peacefully, Benninghoff said. He thinks most of the protests surrounding Floyd’s death have been peaceful.
“I support those who have chosen to make their voices heard in a productive and peaceful manner,” he said. “Violence and looting are unacceptable.”
Benninghoff said he is open to review and bills that ensure law enforcement has adequate and recurring racial bias training and education, the legal authority to self-report misconduct and have better access to PTSD and mental health treatment.
After state officials met Monday in a special session to review Pennsylvania’s policing laws, Republican and Democratic leaders agreed to hold a House Judiciary Committee meeting to move four pieces of legislation aimed at improving police policies.
“I look forward to working across the aisle on these issues,” he said. “United we stand, divided we fall.”
Supportive of peaceful protesters, Benninghoff also believes most police officers “are good people who have taken an oath to willingly put their lives on the line to protect all people, regardless of race or background.”
“As we continue to reflect, listen and learn about the racial divide in our nation, I think it is important to recognize those officers,” he said.
Democratic challenger Peter Buck — a former Ferguson Township supervisor — said he watched the video of Floyd being pinned to the ground “in shock and tears.” Buck believes that the vast majority of protesters are peaceful and the protests have been carried out peacefully.
“We can see that in cities and communities where activists are joined by local leaders and police to mourn and say together that if all lives matter, then Black lives matter,” Buck said. “The president should lean into the moral courage that this moment requires.”
Trump should help the United States mourn and “find the common purpose that can create a more perfect union,” Buck said, adding that the president should never use military force against citizens.
Buck said he would support policing legislation that would:
Permit deadly force only if necessary to prevent serious bodily harm or death to themselves or another individual
Require the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate fatal incidents caused by a law enforcement officer
Create a statewide Law Enforcement Oversight Board with the authority to certify and decertify law enforcement officers
Require law enforcement agencies to keep detailed personnel records (and submitted to the Office of Attorney General) that include all criminal, civil and ethics substantiated complaints, as well as the reason and circumstances surrounding the separation of each officer.
Reporter Josh Moyer contributed to this report.
This story was originally published June 12, 2020 at 8:19 AM.
