Report will detail Raleigh police response to downtown riots

On Tuesday, Raleigh Police Chief Cassandra Deck-Brown will give a full report to the Raleigh City Council on the police department's response during days of protest following the death of George Floyd.

Posted 11:36 a.m. Sep 15, 2020 — Updated 4:25 p.m. Sep 17, 2020

Kasey Cunningham

, WRAL reporter

RALEIGH, N.C. — On Tuesday, Raleigh Police Chief Cassandra Deck-Brown will give a full report to the Raleigh City Council on the police department’s response during days of protest following the death of George Floyd.

In late May, protests turned to riots in downtown Raleigh. Buildings were set on fire, the windows of businesses were shattered, and damages were even reported at North Hills and Triangle Town Center.

'Destruction is not the answer:' After Raleigh riots, those arrested express regret

More than 30 people were arrested over three days, with charges ranging from trespassing and breaking and entering to resisting arrest to assault on a government employee and inciting a riot. The vast majority were Raleigh residents, although four listed home addresses outside North Carolina.

At Tuesday's 1 p.m. Raleigh City Council meeting, Brown will present the Raleigh Police Department's "after action report," which will detail officers' response to the protests and riots. The report will be available after the meeting.

Between May 30 and June 7, area law enforcement agencies spent $2.2 million dollars responding the protests. The Raleigh Police Department spent $860,000.

Some questioned law enforcement officers actions during the riots, including the use of tear gas.

In July, when asked about the riots on May 30 and 31, Wake County Sheriff Gerald Baker said the use of tear gas was "absolutely necessary." It was deployed only after agitators tried to enter the sally port of the sheriff's office on McDowell Street, authorities said. After that entrance was secured, they said, some people began throwing frozen water bottles and bricks at deputies.

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