At Derek Chauvin's trial, a dangerous code of silence is crumbling

[DonViejo]

Opinion by Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci
April 8, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. EDT

Ben Crump is a civil rights attorney based in Tallahassee. Antonio M. Romanucci is a founding partner of Romanucci & Blandin LLC, a Chicago-based law firm. Crump is lead attorney and Romanucci co-counsel representing George Floyd’s family.

Gianna Floyd’s innocent but prophetic words that her daddy changed the world become more profoundly true every day. What is playing out in a Minneapolis courtroom is the latest aftershock of George Floyd’s death, with the impact likely to reach beyond the future of former police officer Derek Chauvin — and possibly create a significant crack in the “blue shield.” This practice of officers covering for other officers regularly complicates police misconduct cases and makes it intimidating or downright dangerous for officers to speak truthfully about such behavior.

In riveting testimony this week, Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo said that Chauvin’s pressing his knee to Floyd’s neck long after Floyd was subdued, on the ground and handcuffed behind his back violated department policies, training, ethics and values. Last summer, Arradondo had called Chauvin’s actions murder and fired Chauvin from the force shortly after Floyd’s death. It is significant that a police chief admitted that Floyd deserved to be treated with respect and humanity despite the allegation that he had passed a phony $20 bill.

Additionally, another Minneapolis police veteran, Lt. Richard Zimmerman, testified last week that Chauvin’s use of force was “totally unnecessary” and “uncalled for.” This was from one of Chauvin’s brethren.

This condemnation by high-ranking officials and fellow officers is noteworthy not only for its rarity but also because it sends a powerful message to law enforcement nationwide. Could this be the moment when police unions’ vaunted code of silence cracks like an egg, never to be restored?

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https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/ben-crump-romanucci-chauvin-trial/2021/04/07/b9c649b0-97c9-11eb-a6d0-13d207aadb78_story.html

[PortTack]

1. Hope so..something has got to change

[Delphinus]

2. I sure hope this is true.

I want to get my hopes up ... but I'm afraid to get my hopes up.

[Martin68]

3. "Crumbling?" More like crashing under a wrecking ball.

As the Post put it, "Chauvin has been thrown over the blue wall."

[mopinko]

4. this is why

defund the police was a smart move for activists, even if they turned it on us at the ballot box.

make them worry about their jobs and futures.

[3Hotdogs]

5. Of more importance, New Mexico governor just signed legislation to eliminate qualified immunity.

[OldBaldy1701E]

6. It is called 'CYA' (Cover Your Ass)

There is enough evidence of this crime that the only thing the 'department' can do is to toss them under the bus. So, they are doing so with vim. The question is, what will this lead to? My guess... some posturing, a few laughable attempts at oversight legislation, then back to SS-DD (Same Shit, Different Day). This man died because he dared to do two things. He dared to pass a fake bill, which according to the corporatocracy is worse than murder or treason, and he dared to not immediately bow at the feet of 'authority', which is what we peons are supposed to do without question, regardless of what that 'authority' may be doing... or not doing.