>> Editorial: Chauvin’s conviction was the verdict that America needed.
It was the right verdict. It was the just verdict.
For a nation that had seen the video of the brutal killing, it was the only reasonable verdict.
No matter how the defense tried to spin it in the courtroom, the jury saw the knee of a White cop on the neck of an unarmed Black man for more than nine minutes for what it was: Murder.
Minneapolis Officer Derek Chauvin murdered George Floyd.
At least this senseless police killing will not go unpunished. For a moment, the country can breathe a sigh of relief. And hope that the verdict sends a message that such law enforcement abuse of power will not be tolerated. But, of course, it’s just one case of many. Too many.
Police officers have a duty to protect our communities — all of our communities. Theirs is a hard job for which they need a certain amount of leeway in order to reasonably protect themselves and others when dealing with suspects.
But in cities across the country, police officers have been using excessive force and killing people with impunity. For too long the nation has looked the other way as cops have brutalized or needlessly killed people, especially people of color.
Nothing will bring George Floyd back to life. But the best possible outcome of his murder would be a complete overhaul of police disciplinary systems that includes much greater transparency and oversight of police activities — and an end to the abusive violence.
That won’t be easy. Debate
rages over police budgets, how best to enforce the law and perform the myriad tasks given to officers. America must also confront the role of police unions and whether their influence on local and state governments has made it nearly impossible to deal with bad cops.
Chauvin was reportedly involved in more than 20 complaints or internal investigations during his nearly 20 years at the Minneapolis Police Department, only one of which resulted in discipline. Several of the incidents were similar to the force he used on Floyd.
Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo fired Chauvin and three other officers who were present at Floyd’s murder. Arradondo testified for the prosecution, saying Chauvin used excessive force on Floyd and went against his training.
If that seems obvious, it is because it is. But it’s worth noting that Arradondo’s testimony marked a departure from the “Blue Wall of Silence” that too often protects police accused of wrongdoing.
Police across the nation — and yes, here in the Bay Area — have been willing to look the other way or protect officers who have no business remaining on the job. Arradondo did the right thing.
So while Tuesday’s verdict allows us to breathe a collective sigh of relief knowing that justice was done, it unfortunately won’t be the last case in which a police officer kills someone under questionable circumstances.
We can do better. We must do better. For George Floyd’s sake.