Connecticut has joined the list of state governments around the nation officially responding to the May 25 killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police, with Chief State's Attorney Richard J. Colangelo releasing a public statement late Monday, following two weeks of nationwide protests against police abuse of people of color.

Colangelo said he "would generally refrain" from commenting on the actions of police in other states, but that the Floyd tragedy, in which the victim died while pinned to the street by his neck under an officer's knee, called for a response from his office.

"The actions of those officers are reprehensible, heart-wrenching, and criminal," Colangelo stated. "There is nothing to defend. There is nothing to debate. I share in the sadness and outrage of those here and across the country."

Colangelo added that he is confident the matter will be investigated by Minnesota authorities. "Race-based policing has no place in our state or country," he continued. "But there are officers in law enforcement whose actions cannot be tolerated. And, the inaction by those who stood by, failing to render aid to Mr. Floyd, is perhaps more indicative of a culture of tolerance that cannot stand."

While the role of police is to protect and serve, Colangelo noted, communities lose trust when they believe they have not been treated fairly, and the Floyd incident "is only the latest in a long line of national incidents of police brutality" against minority communities.

"There is no question that we need to improve the relationships between law enforcement and the community. Every citizen of our state deserves the same level of respect and fairness, regardless of the color of their skin or in what neighborhood they live," Colangelo stated. "We need to restore police legitimacy, and the only way to do so is with thoughtful, comprehensive reform that is long overdue.

"For my part, I intend on supporting and implementing policy changes to promote accountability and transparency," Colangelo added. "I look forward to having difficult conversations with legislators, city leaders, police chiefs and members of our communities to make the much-needed changes to restore trust in our legal system. We need to rebuild that fractured trust, and the only way to do that is to take steps to ensure that every citizen of our state is treated with respect, dignity and fairness."

Colangelo concluded by saying he is committed to making sure all offenders are held accountable for crimes, including those wearing uniforms.