January 18, 2021

The York County Association of Chiefs of Police, stand united in our partnership with the Black Ministers Association of York County, and York area clergy, in our opposition to, and condemnation of, violent protests or riots that result in the harm and loss of human life and the senseless destruction and vandalism of property. The rights of freedom of speech and assembly can never justify the evils of violence and anarchy, that included the death of a US Capitol police officer, that we witnessed on January 6, 2021 at our nation’s Capitol.

It was reported by the New York Times that an off-duty police officer from York County was in attendance at the Capitol riots and made statements in support of a perceived insurrection. We support the investigation to determine the truthfulness of these reports. The participation by any local police officer in violent riots or insurrection would only serve to undermine public confidence in the perceived neutrality of York County police officers. 

Law enforcement officials are public servants who vow to uphold the law. It is critical that our community’s police officers never conduct themselves in private or political action that erode the public confidence in law enforcement. Each individual York County police department maintains personnel policies that direct the private and political conduct of our officers and thoroughly investigates violations of these policies.

The policing of our community is a high and noble calling that requires the utmost personal integrity of all of our police officers. The York County Association of Chiefs of Police upholds our commitment that law enforcement officers treat all individuals, whether they are a complainant, suspect, or defendant, with the full dignity and respect they deserve as human beings. It is our commitment to hold our own law enforcement officers to the highest standards of accountability when they fail to abide by these standards. We hold these principles as the bedrock upon which procedural justice and police legitimacy stand.

As Chiefs of Police and Clergy, we stand united in the pursuit of a thriving and just York County.

- York County Chiefs of Police and Clergy