BOSTON (WHDH) - U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren has drawn the ire of police chiefs from across the state after making a controversial comment about the criminal justice system.
Speaking recently at Dillard University in New Orleans, the senator delivered what she called, “the hard truth about our criminal justice system.:
“It’s racist,” she said. “I mean front to back.”
It drew a scathing response from Yarmouth Police Chief Frank Frederickson.
“This statement is an insult to the hard-working men and women of the Yarmouth Police Department as well as other local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies who are part of the criminal justice system,” he wrote on the department’s Facebook page, adding ,”It is more bothersome that a short time ago Sen. Warren made some efforts to pay respects to Sgt. Sean Gannon and Sgt. Michael Chesna who lost their lives while protecting us. Sen. Warren’s recent statement tarnished us all and diminished the sincerity of her condolence efforts.”
After facing blistering criticism, Warren walked back her comments in a statement to 7News, saying, “I appreciate Chief Frederickson’s thoughtful comments. The men and women in law enforcement work in incredibly dangerous situations. We honor those in uniform who put their lives on the line every day and those who have been killed in the line of duty to keep the rest of us safe. I spoke about an entire system – not individuals – and will continue to work on reforms to make the criminal justice system fairer.”
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