Statement from WSSU Police: Events in Minneapolis

Dear Ram Family,

As your incoming Director of Police and Public Safety, I want to share with you my thoughts on the recent events in Minneapolis where George Floyd, an unarmed man, died while in police custody. 

Like my counterparts Winston-Salem Police Chief Catrina Thompson and Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough, I find what happened to Mr. Floyd to be unacceptable and contrary to the values in which I believe.  As law enforcement officers, we do this job to protect and preserve life, and I have and will continue to emphasize those principles with the staff within WSSU Police and Public Safety. The actions or inactions of officers that are contrary to those principles are not reflections of the badge that we stand behind, and they will not be tolerated at WSSU.

Training is critical to what we do. I want to emphasize that the policies and procedures that we follow appear to be in direct contrast to the incident involving George Floyd. We value the lives of our students, faculty, staff, and community. Our officers will continue to uphold and protect what we know are the core values of law enforcement to continue to build trust in light of these tragic and unnecessary incidents.

Here at Winston-Salem State University, our students, faculty, and staff embrace safe practices, accountability, and mutual respect. As a police department, we will continue to protect and engage our community while fostering open lines of communication. We are here to protect and serve the Ram Family and we will continue to do so with the utmost integrity and concern for the lives of our community. 

Please feel free to contact me or Acting Chief of Police Bobby Brown should you have any questions or concerns. Be safe, Rams. 

Sincerely,

Amir Henry
Deputy Chief of Police