Palm Springs Police Chief comments on Minneapolis shooting, encourages community to speak up
PALM SPRINGS , Calif. (KESQ) - Palm Springs Police Chief Andrew Mills took to social media Monday to comment on the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti.
Federal immigration officers shot and killed Pretti in Minnesota on Saturday.
In his statement, Mills said in part, "I’d like to say I am shocked at the latest shooting in Minneapolis, but I am not. I expected it. Reckless, unconstitutional and immoral enforcement tactics spurred by poor leadership is now being exploited by anarchists who thirst for antigovernment violence. We are at a tipping point."
News Channel 3's Shay Lawson spoke with Chief Mills about why he shared his thoughts with the public.
"It's important for our community to know exactly where the police chief stands on matters of crime and law enforcement and all the interactions between the community and the police," Mills said.
We asked how the PSPD would respond if a similar incident happened in Palm Springs.
"It's not going to happen here. The reason it won't happen here is because I have full confidence in our ability and our community members to be peaceful," Mills said. "We are going to continue to press our federal partners to let us know when they're in town and they are not currently. And to make sure that we're doing everything we can do to protect our community and make sure that people are responding appropriately."
Chief Mills also called for federal accountability.
"At some point, the federal government has to figure out how they're going to straighten this out," Mills said. "How they're going to make sure that these things don't continue to happen."
He said community members should exercise their constitutional rights peacefully.
"Don't interfere. Don't ever use violence against law enforcement. That will never end well," Mills said. "But other than that, speak your mind. Be heard in Washington, D.C., and Sacramento, and we will do everything we can to support and protect our community."
Stay with News Channel 3 for the full report at 10 p.m. and 11 p.m.
