On June 7th, Johns Creek Police Chief Byers posted to his FB page over 1,000 words calling out and shaming local pastors for discussing the Black Lives Matter movement and accused them of disregarding police officers by doing so. He grossly misrepresented the Black Lives Matter movement by stating that it supports and glorifies the killing of police officers. His words left a majority of residents of Johns Creek who are POC feeling targeted and vulnerable for gathering in peaceful demonstrations in order to call attention to injustices and systemic racism.

Defenders of Chief Byers say that his first amendment right gives him the freedom to speak his mind. While this is very much a protected right of every person in this country, he is POLICE CHIEF of one of the most diverse cities in the United States. He had a responsibility to be fully educated and do his due diligence before making a public statement and in doing so could have been more informed as to what the BLM is truly about. He had a responsibility to make sure every resident in his community felt supported. Words have consequences… and they are especially important when one holds a public office and makes a public statement. 

On June 11, Johns Creek City Manager Ed Densmore placed him on administrative leave citing an internal investigation outside of the aforementioned post. It is now two weeks later and Chief Byers is still not fired nor do we have results of this investigation. We the People of Johns Creek demand for Chief Byers to be fired and for the city to create a diverse Citizen Review Board to serve as liaison between the police and residents. We want full transparency and specifics into all trainings including unconscious bias, mental health, education, and other relevant trainings for our police force. In addition, we stress the urgency for the City of Johns Creek to hold community forums on race and culture, open to all residents.