WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Rick Scott released the below statement following calls by the Left to defund the police.

Senator Rick Scott said, “What happened to George Floyd was a murder. The actions of these officers were antithetical to the pledge law enforcement officers around the country take to serve and protect. I’ve spent a great deal of time talking with law enforcement officers in recent days and they are all disgusted by the abuse of power and the callous disregard for human life on display in the murder of George Floyd. While the vast majority of police officers in Florida and around the country uphold their oath to serve and protect, Americans across the country are right to call for reform and accountability to stop bad actors. We must find ways to keep communities safe and stop the tragic and far too common deaths of black lives. But defunding or disarming the police is not the answer, and is a dangerous proposal driven by the radical Left.

“The goal of these proposals is to advance an extremist agenda, not seek genuine reforms that will protect communities and end racial violence. Stripping our brave men and women in uniform of the resources necessary to protect our communities would do nothing to keep Americans safe. In fact, this would endanger our communities more. Law enforcement officers across Florida risk their lives every day to keep people safe. I won’t let the radical Left use the crimes of a few bad actors to demonize good, hard-working police officers in Florida.” 

###