As the Derek Chauvin murder trial advances through its second week of testimony, the ex-cop’s former colleagues in the Minneapolis Police Department continue to testify against one of their own. For decades, the Blue Wall of Silence has protected members of law enforcement from being held accountable for misconduct and brutality as officers refused to report their colleagues’ violations.
Chauvin’s murder trial in the death of George Floyd deviates from other trials that have followed police-involved deaths because of the string of officers who have firmly testified that the ex-cop’s actions weren’t consistent with training or departmental policies.
The trial for Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis officer facing murder and manslaughter charges in the death of George Floyd won’t be moved out of the city or delayed, a judge announced Friday. (Photo: Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office)
On Tuesday, April 6, Lt. Johnny Mercil, who heads use of force training for the Minneapolis Police Department, said Chauvin’s restraint on Floyd isn’t a technique taught within the department but a “knee on the neck would be something that does happen in the use of force that is not unauthorized,” he told prosecutor Steven Schleicher.
While physically restraining Floyd last May, Chauvin used his knee to apply pressure on the 46-year-old’s neck for nine minutes and 29 seconds. He has pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
On Monday, Minneapolis’ first Black police chief, Medaria Arradondo, criticized Chauvin’s conduct.
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“That action is not de-escalation,” Arradondo said. “When we talk about the framework of our sanctity of life and we talk about the principles and values that we have, that action goes contrary to what we’re taught.”
Arradondo pointed out that the department’s policy on neck restraints specifies that only light to moderate pressure should be used.
“When I look at exhibit 17, and when I look at the facial expression on Mr. Floyd, that does not appear in any way, shape, or form that that is light to moderate pressure.”
Last week, the longest-serving current member of the Minneapolis Police Department also criticized Chauvin during testimony on Friday.
Lt. Richard Zimmerman, a 36-year veteran of the department, characterized Chauvin’s restraint of Floyd as “totally unnecessary,” and “deadly force.” Zimmerman said that once an individual is handcuffed, the officer is responsible for the person’s safety and well-being. He added that use of force should change significantly after a person has been restrained in cuffs.
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