As the country reels over protests and violence in Minneapolis following the death of an African American man at the hands of a police officer, the six Martha’s Vineyard police chiefs issued a statement late Friday expressing their dismay and outrage, and offering solidarity for the family of George Floyd.

The statement follows:

“As members of the Martha’s Vineyard Chiefs of Police Association, we wanted to collectively express our shock and dismay at the senseless murder of Mr. George Floyd in Minneapolis. Like you, what we saw not only offended us, but also all members of the Island police departments who serve you. The actions and inactions of the on-scene Minneapolis officers violate the very tenets of our profession, and are entirely contrary to the ethical standards and training that we as police officers receive here in Massachusetts.

“As leaders of your police departments, know that we stand with you as members of our Island community and would never tolerate brutality or social injustice in any form. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Floyd family.”

The statement is signed by the six Island police chiefs: Bruce McNamee, Edgartown, Randhi Belain, Aquinnah, Jonathan Klaren, Chilmark, Erik Blake, Oak Bluffs, Mark Saloio, Tisbury, and Matthew Mincone, West Tisbury.