Statement from Police Chief Derrick W. Diggs
Citizens of the City of Fort Myers:
As your Police Chief, I would like to take a moment to address with all of you the recent tragic events involving the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
When I assumed my leadership role with the Fort Myers Police Department four years ago, my primary goal was to build bridges between our police officers and the community we serve by increasing our positive engagement within our city.
I believe this department is well on its way to building those bridges and we remain dedicated to these endeavors.
In my effort to build the community’s trust, I ensure the Fort Myers Police Department continuously provides ongoing training to ensure our officers are current with the ever-changing case law, technology, applied tactical procedures, and attitude regarding fair and impartial policing.
As an agency, we are constantly evolving, learning, and growing. Alongside our community, we have been able to achieve a remarkable decrease in violent crime during the last four-year period.
As a 40-year law enforcement professional, I trust that justice will ultimately be served in Minneapolis against the officers involved in this tragic incident, as their actions or inactions are unacceptable and would not be tolerated in Fort Myers.
With that said, be assured that the Fort Myers Police Department is True to our Community, True to our Commitment, and True to our City.
