Former Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of murder Tuesday in the death of George Floyd, in May 2020, which led to a summer of unrest and protests.
The City of Erie issued the following statement in reaction to the announcement of the guilty verdicts:
Statement from the City of Erie on the George Floyd case
Our City’s thoughts and prayers are with George Floyd’s family and the City of Minneapolis. The death of George Floyd put a spotlight on the struggles our communities of color face. Our administration and police department are working hard with our community partners to strengthen police and community relations.
We will continue to strive for an Erie that respects and values our diversity, because that is what makes us stronger. We are truly better together, and no matter what, we need to stand as a community and make sure our voices are heard. Here are the things we are committed to and working on to make our community safe and welcoming for all:
In the past year, we have:
- Implemented body-worn and dashboard cameras
- Facilitated required diversity, equity, and inclusion and de-escalation training for all police
- Established in 2018 and continued the DOJ’s Strengthening Police and Community Partnerships Council (SPCP) which was nationally-piloted in Erie
- Earmarked approximately $2 million to fund community-policing initiatives
We are currently working on:
- Collaborating with the Better Together Council on the Erie Racial Justice Policy Initiative to identify and amend policies that perpetuate racial injustices and inequity in Erie County
- Pursuing a grant to hire an independent consultant to evaluate existing city of Erie policies and procedures to identify, re-write, and/or remove any inherent racism with the goal of fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in all we do
Our number one goal is to make Erie a place where every resident feels highly valued for their unique talents, skills, and perspectives. It won’t happen overnight. If we can achieve this, imagine what a wonderful place Erie will be.
County Executive releases statement about verdict in Chauvin trial
County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper released the following statement in response to the verdict in the Derek Chauvin murder trial:
“First, I want to reflect on the loss of a human life, George Floyd. His death has deeply touched the world, our country, and our own community. I send continued prayers out for George Floyd’s family and loved ones.
Second, I have great respect for the judicial system in our country. A jury of our peers listened to all of the witnesses, reviewed all of the evidence and made their decision by applying the law as directed by the judge. I commend the jury for taking their solemn role so seriously and coming forward with a unified verdict.
The death of George Floyd and this trial have caused our nation to reflect on systemic racism in a more profound way than ever before. It is imperative that we take this moment in time to address this issue of basic human rights in a manner that moves our nation and our local community toward greater equity, greater respect and greater opportunity for communities of color, particularly African Americans. We can and we must do things very differently from this moment on.”
