In Aftermath of Trump Comments to Police, Elk Grove Chief Responds 'We're Better Than That'

July 29, 2017 |

While the more inflammatory comments offered by President Donald Trump are usually aimed at individual political foes and critics in the media, some that were spoken yesterday reached down to local level. Comments on how law enforcement professionals might handle suspects in their custody were made by the President in front of police yesterday at Suffolk Community College on Long Island in New York.

Speaking before to a gathering of police officers in a speech on gang violence, Trump suggested that the way law enforcement officials handle suspects in their custody in ways that breaks protocol and civil rights.

"Please don't be too nice," he told officers and suggested to use force when guiding "thugs into the back of a paddy wagon."

While Trump's comments were met with wide spread criticism from civil rights groups, several police associations have also joined the chorus condemming the statement. Among those criticizing the comments were Elk Grove Police Chief Bryan Noblett.

Late this afternoon Noblett post the following statement on Twitter:

Could not disagree more with the comments by @POTUS endorsing brutality. Wrong on every level and we're better than that!

— Chief Bryan Noblett (@ChiefNoblett) July 30, 2017

Noblett joins several police chiefs and law enforcement associations in condemnation of the comments encouraging police brutality. As reported by the Washington Post, associations and chiefs nationwide have pushed back against the speech.