Portland Police Union Response to Chauvin Trial Verdict

A Minnesota jury has imposed justice in finding Derek Chauvin guilty of murdering George Floyd. This is the first step in our Nation’s healing as we continue to rebuild trust with the communities we serve.

Nearly a year ago, we wrote that:

“What happened to George Floyd in Minneapolis at the hands of a police officer is revolting, incomprehensible, and unacceptable. What we saw in that video—Mr. Floyd pleading for his life—should send chills down the spine of every law enforcement officer and citizen in this country. This tragedy is inconsistent with our oath to protect and serve, it is inconsistent with the job entrusted to us by our communities, and it is in complete opposition to everything we are trained to do.”

Those words are still true today.

We have more work to do. As we have done for the past year, we will be steadfast in our commitment to actively participate in the evolution of policing locally, regionally, and nationally.

We have the finest police officers here in Portland, and I am confident in their training, experience, and commitment to public safety.

In the coming days, our officers will work hard to preserve our community’s right to peacefully protest.

Our officers will also work to preserve public safety if those individuals, intent on violence and mayhem, seek to hijack this historical moment for their own self-serving, political purposes.

To our communities, we are committed to healing with you. To our members, we are proud of your tireless service.

—Daryl Turner, Executive Director Portland Police Association