RIGHT VERDICT, WRONG TO VILIFY EVERY POLICE OFFICER
The verdict was swift and concise: Guilty! Guilty! Guilty!
That was the unanimous verdict of a Minneapolis jury on all three counts in the murder of George Floyd. Even before that verdict, that was also the strong opinion of every law enforcement official I have spoken with since the day Mr. Floyd was murdered.
It is important to recognize that former police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all three counts based in no small part on the powerful and compelling testimony from fellow police officers of different ranks, tenure and assignments. These officers included the Minneapolis police chief, the head of the Homicide Division, who is the longest-serving member of the department, and the sergeant who oversees crisis intervention and decision-making training. All testified that what Chauvin did was clearly and unequivocally wrong. I agree 100 percent. Chauvin violated policy, training, ethics, values, morals and the sanctity of human life. This guilty verdict clearly underscored that point.
During the endless commentaries during this trial, I have heard time and time again it wasn’t just Chauvin who was on trial; it was the entire policing profession. I disagree. The police were not on trial — criminal conduct was. The officers locally and across the country I have spoken with agreed Chauvin’s conduct was horrifying, appalling and clearly criminal. We are encouraged and relieved that he was found guilty. My conversations usually ended this way: How do we make sure this never happens again?
It starts with accountability. Police officers are held to a higher standard, and they should be. The bar should be set high, and we must keep reaching for the bar, and when we reach it, we must continue to raise the bar. This begins with a robust vetting process to become a police officer and continual meaningful training. What was considered a best practice years ago is likely not the case today, and what is regarded as a best practice today likely won’t be years from now. This means training and accountability never ends. The bar must always be raised.
During my 35 years as a police officer, I have said many times police officers would prefer to prevent crime before it happens instead of having to respond to crime after it happens. Therefore, it is essential for police officers to intervene when they see another officer step over the line. Having each other’s backs does not mean you condone bad behavior. It means you do your best to prevent bad behavior from occurring. The other officers who were at the scene must also be held to account for their role in this tragedy.
It’s not just the police who must be held accountable. Let’s tone down the divisive rhetoric condemning the entire policing profession. Words matter. Condemning all police officers is dangerous and not helpful to building trust with the police and the community. Those of us in law enforcement know our society depends on us, and we need the support of our community. Public safety must be a shared responsibility. I have had the opportunity to discuss policing across our country. When I report that most police interactions involve zero force, this comes as a surprise to many of the participants. When I ask them why they are surprised, they say they only see the use of force incidents in the news or on their social media feeds. Each of us has a megaphone, and, when amplified, we can do great good or great harm.
Our elected and other leaders need to find common solutions and not use the police as a punching bag and a way to score political points. Policing should never be a partisan issue. It erodes the confidence in and within law enforcement. It must never be us versus them. It is only us. To that point, policymakers can play a constructive role by convening interested parties, including the police and the public, to discuss, debate and implement appropriate policing reforms. That process must be honest, civil and respectful.
The jury has spoken. Chauvin has been convicted for his crimes. But this can’t be the end of it.
Let’s use this tragedy to truly fulfill sharing in the responsibility for safety for all. Everyone has a role to play — the police, the public, our leaders and the media. All of us, working together, can make our society better, safer and more just.
During endless commentaries, I heard time and time again it wasn’t just Chauvin who was on trial; it was the entire policing profession. I disagree. The police were not on trial — criminal conduct was.