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\"I honestly think people need to see there's some type of hope out there,\" Mathews said of the viral moment. \"The fact is, none of my other coworkers would've thought, 'let me call the police,' and that's the definition of privilege.\"

He added, \"I'm 49 years old. I have dreads. I've never smoked. I've been to prison 22 times but to inspect, not as an occupant. I think it all comes down to fear. People are afraid of something they saw on TV. It's just ridiculous.\"

Mathews said he'd like to see police reform.

\"PHOTO:
Calvin Mathews
PHOTO: Calvin Mathews a state health inspector from Minneapolis, Minnesota, is seen in an undated family photo with his children, Jessica, 29, Christian, 18 and Sydney Grace.
>

\"Several officers I know said nowhere in the book of training did it say to put their knee on that man's neck,\" Mathews said. \"Maybe there needs to be a time limit [for police working] on and off the streets. Maybe there should be mandated counseling.\"

\"There's tons of good officers,\" he continued. \"Something needs to happen with these bad officers.\"

Following Floyd's death, demonstrations began in Minnesota. Pletcher said his neighborhood was destroyed and looting was common.

\"PHOTO:
Justin Pletcher
PHOTO: Sgt. Justin Pletcher, 39, is with the Columbia Heights Police Department in Columbia Heights, Minnesota.
>

\"I'm not angry about the rioting, I'm angry that's what had to be resorted to until people listened,\" he said. \"I'm angry about systematic racism, I'm angry about inequality. It won't change unless we do something and that's policing.\"

He went on, \"The thin blue line, the very idea of a line suggests segregation and if I'm not on the same side of my community, I'm failing them, I'm failing this badge -- any officer that disagrees with me needs to think about doing something else.\"

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