NC police chief describes moment officers knelt with protesters: 'It is part of building trust'

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North Carolina police chief calls for accountability of every officer involved in George Floyd's death

Fayetteville, North Carolina police chief Gina Hawkins reacts to upgraded charges against Derek Chauvin, possible charges against other 3 officers.

Fayetteville, N.C., Police Chief Gina Hawkins joined "The Daily Briefing" Wednesday to discuss how her police force is trying to build trust with the community.

“The Fayetteville Police Department has been dedicated to true community policing," Hawkins told Dana Perino. "That involves actions, that involves attitude, that involves ... service."

Hawkins told Perino that her department got a leg up on protests responding to the death of George Floyd with the help of basketball.

"One of the police officers who always plays basketball with members of that [protest group]  ...  as an individual officer, not even a commander, not even a supervisor, went to his chain of command supervisor and explained what the protestors were requesting," she said. "The only thing they were requesting was empathy.”

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Hawkins said that members of the community requested that police officers kneel in solidarity with their cause and in memory of African-Americans who have died as a result of encounters with police.

“I said, ‘And why are we waiting?’" Hawkins said. "That was awesome as we watched it and it is part of building trust."

“When it happened ... my officers were emotional just as the community was emotional, that showed a sign for our community to share who we are," she added, "which is that there is some change and movement coming. There is some conversation, there is some listening opportunities coming."