We commend the professionalism shown by the men and women wearing law enforcement badges in Minneapolis during the protests taking place following the death two weeks ago of 24-year-old Jamar Clark.

Professionalism, indeed, is the key word.

Despite signs, despite chants, despite words spoken to their faces, despite crowds of people upset about a police officer killing Clark under circumstances that remain unclear and despite the horror of a suspected hate group shooting at protesters earlier this week, the Minneapolis police have been present to secure the peace and protect the people — not stir the tensions.

It’s been simply remarkable. It’s above and beyond what has happened in other cities with police facing racial tensions.

Their professionalism, down to the last officer, goes to show how the actions and reactions of a police force in one city can be quite different than a police force in other parts of the country — often boiling down to a workplace culture of how they view the people they serve and protect.

From the professionalism shown by the Minneapolis Police Department, it’s clear they hold the people of their city in high regard.

To be sure, the last thing the police need are protesters upset at them for any tidbit more than they are — regardless of who is right or wrong on the Clark shooting. All that would do is attract more outsiders and anarchists to Minneapolis to stir the pot.

If one little incident by the police were to be captured on video — just one, even a little pepper spray inadvertently catching one peaceful protester — it would only create more work for all the police officers in the long run. But there hasn’t even been that one incident. It’s incredible.

Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges spoke well of her police department, too, in saying:

“Police officers have shown restraint and professionalism under very challenging conditions, and most protesters have gathered peacefully. I have asked officers and protesters to continue to exercise restraint and respect as we continue to balance the need to grieve and protest peacefully with the need to ensure everyone’s safety.”

The work of the Minneapolis Police Department reflects well on themselves and reflects well on the work of all law enforcement in the great state of Minnesota. Be proud.

 

— Editorials are the opinion of The Albert Lea Tribune editorial board.