The statement below is by Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli Jr. on behalf of the Freeholder Board regarding yesterday’s unity walk.

“The unity walk and gathering yesterday on the steps of the police administration building was the culmination of years of outstanding work by the men and women of the Camden County Police Department, the city’s clergy, residents throughout Camden, and our community’s leaders. Direct interaction, relationship building, and community policing has been the bedrock of our agency since it was started in 2013 and has made a tangible difference in the city. The agency’s daily efforts to engage residents, adopting the most progressive and effective use of force policy in the nation, and constantly training all officers on the sanctity of life has made an out-sized difference in the city and the county. In turn, that strong level of engagement and communication also provides residents with the knowledge that we stand with them, we grieve with them, and that the ugly, tragic and appalling events that led to the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis will never occur here.”