A Nevada public library’s show of support for the Black Lives Matter movement prompted the county’s sheriff to threaten its staff with nonresponse to emergency calls.

Ahead of a July 28 board of trustees meeting, the Douglas County Public Library prepared a statement on diversity, something many public institutions and companies have been doing in the wake of uprisings over the killing of George Floyd.

"We support #BlackLivesMatter," the statement read. "We resolutely assert and believe that all forms of racism, hatred, inequality and injustice don't belong in our society."

The statement shows support for people of all backgrounds.

“We offer free and equal access to information, services and programs for everyone regardless of race, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, political persuasion, disability, status, national origin or income level. Public libraries change lives and create opportunities for all those who inquire,” it states.

After the remarks were shared, Douglas County Sheriff Daniel Coverley wrote a letter addressed to the library board condemning its comments and rejecting claims of systemic racism and bias in law enforcement.

He stated that in 2019 a majority of the 1,004 fatal shootings of civilians by officers were justifiable, as “most involved an armed or dangerous subject.”

In the letter, which was posted on Monday to the sheriff’s office website, Coverley also discussed the danger officers face in the line of duty, adding that because of recent national unrest, a number of officers have been injured while “defending their communities from the violence that has swept our country.”

Most of the language in Coverley’s letter was taken from a letter written to Congress by state attorney generals and sheriffs’ associations, reports the Reno Gazette Journal.

“The Douglas County Sheriffs Office is the only local law-enforcement agency in Douglas County and it is the men and women of DCSO that keep you safe. The Black Lives Matter movement openly calls all law enforcement corrupt and racist on their website,” the letter states. “To support this movement is to support violence and to openly ask for it to happen in Douglas County.”

Coverley ended the letter by telling the library staff to not call 911 when they need help, implying the department would not respond.

“Due to your support of Black Lives Matter and the obvious lack of support or trust with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, please do not feel the need to call 911 for help. I wish you good luck with disturbances and lewd behavior, since those are just some of the recent calls my office has assisted you with in the past,” he wrote.

Coverley met with Library Director Amy Dodson on Tuesday, reports The Hill. Dodson said the two had a “candid conversation” and the incident was a misunderstanding.

“The library respects and supports the work of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and appreciates everything they do to keep our community safe,” she said in a statement posted to the county's Facebook page.

Douglas-County

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