‘For Peaceful Protesters, We Have No Issues’: Fulton Sheriff’s Office Stands Behind Atlanta Police

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June 4th, 2020

Fulton County Sheriff Ted Jackson told “Morning Edition” host Lisa Rayam that although law enforcement has no trouble with peaceful protesters, police won’t tolerate so-called agitators.

Courtesy of Fulton County Sheriff's Department

The Fulton County Sheriff’s Department is standing behind Atlanta police during the last week of escalating protests over the killing of George Floyd and other black Americans brutalized by police officers.

Sheriff Ted Jackson told “Morning Edition” host Lisa Rayam that although law enforcement has no trouble with peaceful protesters, police won’t tolerate so-called agitators.

“All of us understand is that we have to work together. And what we tell our deputies is to not get baited. Some of these agitators will bait you and cause you to do things that you shouldn’t do,” Jackson said.

He told WABE that police should be focusing on those looting and vandalizing local businesses, so that the message of peaceful protesters is not disrupted.

“We’re here to protect the safety of the people in the county, and we have to do what we have to do. Whatever happens, we have to deal with it,” Jackson said.

“We have de-escalation training, community-oriented policing training. These are mandatory training efforts.”

Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields, in white shirt, speaks with media as protesters gather Friday in Atlanta in response to the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis.
Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields, in white shirt, speaks with media as protesters gather Friday in Atlanta in response to the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis. (Mike Stewart/Associated Press)

This comes as Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields is losing critical support from other law enforcement outlets. Six of her officers have been charged, accused of using excessive force on two Atlanta college students Saturday night. Those officers have until Friday to turn themselves in to authorities.

A video of the Saturday night incident shows Spelman student Taniyah Pilgrim and Morehouse student Messiah Young being shocked with stun guns and pulled out of their vehicle into traffic.

Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said during a press conference that the video kept her up at night. The couple didn’t appear to be aggressive toward the officers.

Jackson said he hopes Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard has investigated the incident from all sides. Howard is facing two challengers in his bid for reelection in Georgia’s June 9 primary.

“I’m not at liberty because the only thing I saw was video,” Jackson said.

“Being an investigator, you have to look at all sides. And hopefully, the district attorney did a thorough investigation to result in what he did.”

In a department-wide email this week, Shields questioned the charges against the officers, writing that she will not allow her employees to get caught up in what she called “political jockeying during an election year.”

Lily Oppenheimer contributed to this report.

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