Milwaukee Sheriff David Clarke: Black Lives Matter Are 'Riot Starters'
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The Sheriff of Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, David Clarke, criticized Black Lives Matter protesters for attacking police officers that he says put their lives on the line to protect communities.
During an interview with Dom Giordano on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT, Clarke stated police departments do not need Black Lives Matter to hold their officers accountable.
"They started this war on police. I've been in policing for 38 years. We're not perfect. Our people aren't perfect. We don't need to be. We need to be excellent. We work in an environment that's very asymmetrical and sometimes things go tragically wrong in our world. It's a high risk when you send the police to an assignment. Sometimes mistakes are made. Sometimes there is bad judgement used and sometimes there is some borderline criminal behavior. We'll take care of that. We have done a good job of doing that."
He insisted police officers provide a benefit to the communities that need them most, while protesters just cause more problems.
"This group gets out and attacks the very people that go down into these slums and ghettos and crime infested neighborhoods, mainly white police officers, black as well, Hispanic, Asian, but they're the ones that go down there to give these good law abiding people, the overwhelming majority, a chance at a peaceful life. It isn't Black Lives Matter. They're rabble rousers. These are riot starters. They specialize in social commotion and chaos.