06/07/2020
City of Fairfax Police Department
Message to the Community
The City of Fairfax Police Department is deeply saddened by the events in Minneapolis which resulted in the tragic death of George Floyd while in police custody. Our hearts go out to the Floyd family as they deal with the tremendous loss of someone they love, and to the citizens of Minneapolis as they try to mend their relationship with, and their trust of, law enforcement.
Protests and demonstrations have raised legitimate concerns about policing policies and practices that include police use of force, bias in policing, police accountability, and transparency. These issues are at the heart of a community’s relationship with its police department.
The City of Fairfax Police Department is committed to serving and protecting all members of our community with the utmost respect for each person, and with the mandate of ensuring the sanctity of life. We strive to protect the safety of everyone in a respectful manner, while upholding and enforcing the law.
Our agency continues to focus on hiring and recruiting officers who reflect the community they serve, reducing use of force by training officers in de-escalation techniques, and ensuring there is a robust and thorough review of all complaints of police misconduct.
We recognize that events involving law enforcement impact the reputation of all law enforcement officers, regardless of where the event occurs. We hope, and constantly strive, to maintain our community’s trust and support. We know this will take honest and open dialogue, unconventional partnerships, commitment, dedication and a willingness to learn from the past. We must work together to build a future that strives for fairness, respect, dignity, security, and justice for all. The City of Fairfax Police Department is fortunate to have an established Body Worn Camera program that has been in place since December of 2016. The program is supported by the City Manager and City Council, which also assists in supporting the police department’s goal of accountability and transparency.
Finally, I would like to acknowledge my pride in the officers who serve our community. They continuously demonstrate unwavering courage and dedication to public service and strive to protect the values of the policing profession, while maintaining respect and dignity for everyone. I am grateful for the level of professionalism displayed by the City of Fairfax police officers who have dedicated their lives to protect our community.
Erin F. Schaible
Chief of Police
City of Fairfax Police Department
