George Floyd Protests
Bystander footage of the in-custody death of George Floyd led to the firing of four Minneapolis police officers and violent protests in the city and throughout the nation. Derek Chauvin, the officer seen in the video kneeling on Floyd’s neck for several minutes, was later arrested and charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter, for which he was found guilty on April 20, 2021.
Police1 coverage of events reviews 12 things every police department’s civil unrest plan needs, the 5 stages of riot prep, why police reform must be evidence-based and why community solidarity matters.
Police responses to public protests and unrest have varied over time
Different police tactics yield different responses from protesters: tactical mismatches are likely to influence escalation as well as who joins or desists from protest events
The document urges action in the face of rising violent crime and the coexisting challenge of recruiting and retaining police officers
There is a perception that politicians and LE leaders are making public safety and personnel decisions based on what the loudest voices demand
Police1 columnists reflect on their analysis of 2020’s civil unrest and calls for police reform and share their thoughts on where policing is now
As many experts predicted, we have seen a rise in violent crime accompanied by an increase in officer retirements and resignations
A judge ruled Officer Richard Nicoletti had been authorized by his commanders to clear the highway and had been given pepper spray as a tool to do so
The women were booked on charges of felony vandalism and conspiracy
The postponement is in part to allow the publicity of Derek Chauvin’s conviction to cool off, a judge ruled Thursday
A report on the LAPD’s response to mass demonstrations in summer 2020 reveals how acts of violence against police and citizens, extensive property damage and looting caught police off guard
In pretrial motions, defense attorneys plan to request that prosecutors be sanctioned after media reports that Derek Chauvin had planned to plead guilty a year ago
A Minnesota judge has ruled that there were aggravating factors in the death of George Floyd, opening the possibility of a longer sentence
The bill already passed the Senate, but the two chambers will likely head to conference after the House added amendments
The preliminary injunction bars officers’ use of tear gas, pepper spray, wooden bullets and other less-lethal options
The man must also pay $12 million in restitution for his role in lighting the Third Precinct headquarters on fire during unrest after George Floyd’s death
If the grand jury votes to indict, the former officers will face the new civil rights charges on top of the state’s cases, meaning all four could be headed toward yet another criminal trial
The early days of the Biden presidency do not portend good times for American law enforcement
Veteran LEOs discuss the impact the George Floyd case and the Chauvin verdict will have on law enforcement
Calls to reform, reimagine or disband the police can be seen as existential threats, but are opportunities for change that can work to the advantage of law enforcement
Funding for extra security during last week’s trial was passed retroactively on Tuesday with bipartisan support
A DHS inspector said a new report found that the agency “did not properly exercise its authority” in Portland last summer
A suit argues that the law violates free speech protections and protections against cruel and unusual punishment
Leaders and chiefs from Minneapolis, Miami, Houston and the NYPD were among those who spoke out after the verdict
The jury’s decision to find Chauvin guilty may strengthen the calls for police reform that have been widespread since Floyd’s death
Chauvin was found guilty on all charges in a verdict read Tuesday afternoon
“This city feels like it’s occupied by the military,” said one citizen. “This is so weird”
The governor said the bill will also target calls to “defund the police,” which he said was an “insane theory”
With closing arguments set to begin Monday, police departments in cities nationwide are preparing for possible unrest
“It appears the suspects in this vandalism were targeting Mr. Brodd for his testimony,” police said
When signed into law, penalties would be enhanced for crimes committed during a riot or violent protest
The defense wrapped up its case Thursday without putting Chauvin on the stand -- something that would have had risky trade-offs
Police said the suspect threw incendiary devices at officers in September
The trial is set to be live-streamed before a global audience
