■ UCF police pulls officers from downtown Orlando protest,

Saying “I hear you, Knights,” the chief of the University of Central Florida Police Department wrote in a tweet on Wednesday said he will be pulling his officers from covering downtown Orlando during protests over the death of George Floyd.

UCF police was one of several agencies assisting the Orlando Police Department during the protests that have drawn thousands of people over the last five days.

“I am committed to listening to our community and leading UCFPD in doing the right thing,” said Chief Carl Metzger in a statement posted to Twitter. “That’s why I have decided that it is no longer necessary for our officers to be there.”

In a statement Orlando police chief Orlando Rolòn said he appreciates all the agencies that help out during the protests.

“While each agency ultimately decides on its own, what resources to supply to joint operations like this, all of their efforts help us continue to insure the safety of our citizens, and of peaceful protesters, as they exercise their rights to free speech,” Rolòn said.

Metzger went on to write his agency has a “special relationship” with the UCF community that “relies on mutual trust, understanding and respect” while also enforcing the law.

“My interests are in maintaining that relationship while also prioritizing our community’s safety,” he wrote. “… We remain committed to listening, learning and growing alongside our community.”

He also said the department could assist OPD if the protests turn violent.