The death of Mr. George Floyd while in the custody of members of the Minneapolis Police Department was both tragic and shocking. The actions of a few officers have severely tarnished the image of law enforcement professionals across the country and we are all saddened by the loss of life and community trust caused by disturbing events like this.
In response to this incident there have been large scale protests, rioting, looting, and general civil unrest across the country and here in the Bay Area. We have received no credible information or threats of protests or related violence here in the Town of Atherton. In order to ensure the safety and security of our residents, and to assist with providing mutual aid to our allied law enforcement agencies, we have increased our normal officer staffing. In recent days, our officers have responded to Oakland, Menlo Park, and East Palo Alto to assist with protests and rioting. If a related emergency were to occur in Atherton, we have many law enforcement mutual aid resources available to assist us in keeping our residents and our Town safe and secure.
The Atherton Department of Police, our officers, and professional staff enjoy a very high degree of trust, confidence, and respect from our residents. We strive everyday day to ensure a high level of transparency and customer service through a commitment to community oriented policing. The official motto of the Atherton Department of Police is “To Serve with Honor, Integrity and Professionalism.” We live by these words in service to our residents and by our unofficial motto “No Call Too Small” which truly drives every aspect of our policing philosophy.
Steven D. McCulley
Chief of Police
