Rye Mayor Josh Cohn’s George Floyd Message

We wanted to post Rye Mayor Josh Cohn’s George Floyd message from last week. Rye City Council has an agenda item scheduled on George Floyd for its meeting Wednesday.

George Floyd Message
Post Date: 06/04/2020

The City Council and I were deeply troubled by the death of George Floyd in Minnesota. We mourn his loss, as well as other victims of similar violence.

This tragedy is certain to raise questions in all municipalities, including Rye. I will venture three statements that I hope may provide some reassurance, even as we continue to reflect on this sad event:

First, the City of Rye is committed to the principle of equal treatment under law.*

Second, the City of Rye Police Department is trained and undertakes every day to be respectful, restrained and concerned for the safety of all involved in interactions with it, without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation or other differentiating characteristic.**

Third, the men and women of the Rye Police Department understand that the residents of Rye expect nothing less of them.

The City Council and I understand that this expectation requires an ongoing process of diligence and self-examination on the part of the Police Department and the City. To this we remain committed.

Mayor Josh Cohn

*Excerpt from City Council Resolution of May 3, 2017

The City of Rye is committed to upholding and protecting the civil and human rights of all individuals regardless of their race, creed, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or immigration status

We, the City of Rye, denounce acts of racism, bigotry, xenophobia, religious discrimination, antisemitism and acts of discrimination based on a victim’s gender, sexual orientation or gender identity.

Our Department of Public Safety’s primary mission is to keep the community of Rye, its residents, workers, and visitors safe. Its practices are designed to promote mutual respect and open dialogue between all members of the community, and law enforcement.

**The City of Rye Police Department is accredited by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services and the New York State Law Enforcement Accreditation Council, and has been so accredited for many years. The Division performs regular reviews of the Rye Police Department’s policies, procedures and training, among other things.