The Edmonds and Olympia Police Departments each issued statements Monday afternoon refuting President Trump's remarks last week that police shouldn't be "too nice" when they are transporting suspects.
On a visit to Long Island last week, Trump told police officers "Please don't be too nice" and noted that some officers are too courteous to suspects when arresting them, the Associated Press reported.
The comment led to critics accusing the president of encouraging police brutality. On Monday, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters "I believe he was making a joke at the time," the AP reported.
Edmonds Police Chief Alan Compaan issued the following statement in regard to the president's remarks:
"I am troubled by President Trump's comment to Suffolk County, New York, law enforcement this past Friday, apparently condoning the roughing up of prisoners in police custody. Made in jest or not, any intimation of it being OK to mistreat prisoners is irresponsible at best and is counter to law enforcement's Oath of Office and Code of Ethics. Mistreatment of prisoners is also against the law. Earning the public's trust and confidence is difficult enough. The President is not being helpful."
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Olympia Police Chief R. Roberts issued the following statement:
"The President has recently made several comments regarding police use of force that do little to build community trust and potentially undermine the significant level of work being done by the Olympia Police Department and other agencies across the country. The men and women of our police department are committed to the Olympia community and its values. Procedural Justice, Fair and Impartial Policing and Community Policing are the core concepts of law enforcement Olympians expect and we deliver. We've worked hard to be leaders in serving our neighborhoods, downtown and vulnerable populations. We constantly push ourselves to be on the forefront of modern community policing. We will continue to maintain the community's trust in us by protecting and serving everyone."