Officer trained to use minimal force

The George Floyd murder trial heard yesterday that former police officer Derek Chauvin had been trained to use minimal force to get someone to comply.

Chauvin, 45, is charged with murder and manslaughter in Mr Floyd’s death on May 25.

Sergeant Ker Yang, the Minneapolis police official in charge of crisis-intervention training, and use-offorce instructor Lieutenant Johnny Mercil became the latest department members to give evidence as part of an effort by prosecutors to demolish the argument that Chauvin was doing what he was trained to do when he put his knee on Mr Floyd’s neck last May.

Mr Yang said officers are taught to make critical decisions in dealing with people in crisis, including those suffering mental problems or the effects of drug use, and then de-escalate the situation.

Prosecutor Steve Schleicher said records show that Chauvin attended a 40-hour course on the method in 2016.

“When we talk about fast-evolving situations ... a lot of the time we have the time to slow things down and reevaluate and reassess and go through this model,” Mr Yang said.

Records also show that Chauvin took inservice training in the use of force in October 2018.

Mr Mercil said those who attended were taught that the sanctity of life and protection of the public are the cornerstone of the department’s use-offorce policy.

He also said officers were taught that restraint is considered force and that they must use the least force required because “it’s safer and better for everybody involved”.