Police officers in Minneapolis quit due to lack of support within state government

"At least seven Minneapolis police officers have resigned from the department since widespread unrest began over the death of George Floyd last month, and more than half a dozen are in the process of leaving, according to department officials,” according to The Star Tribune.

"Morale has sunk to new lows in recent weeks, say department insiders, as officers reported feeling misunderstood and squeezed by all sides: by the state probe; by protesters, who hurled bricks and epithets their way; by city leaders, who surrendered a police station that later burned on national television, and by the media. Numerous officers and protesters were injured the rioting."

One officer the newspaper spoke to said that the officers do not feel welcome and appreciated when asked he should remain when "everybody hates the police."

Police shared with the newspaper that they were angered by Democratic Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey's willingness to allow the Third Precinct police station to be taken over, which they interpreted as a sign that he was siding with the rioters.

The Associated Press seemed to suggest that the recent calls by the Minneapolis City Council, which is controlled by Democrats, to start defunding the police also played a role.

“We’re here because we hear you. We are here today because George Floyd was killed by the Minneapolis Police. We are here because here in Minneapolis and in cities across the United States it is clear that our existing system of policing and public safety is not keeping our communities safe,” City Council President Lisa Bender said, according to the Daily Wire.

“Our efforts at incremental reform have failed. Period.”

“Our commitment is to do what is necessary to keep every single member of our community safe and to tell the truth that the Minneapolis Police are not doing that,” Bender added.

“Our commitment is to end our city’s toxic relationship with the Minneapolis Police Department, to end policing as we know it, and to recreate systems of public safety that actually keep us safe.”

Bender suggested on CNN that if someone were to break into your house and your first instinct is to call the authorities, then that is a sign that you have "privilege."

Those who would call the police under a given circumstance should "step back and imagine what it would feel like to already live in that reality where calling the police may mean more harm."