JACKSON, MI –
We, the City of Jackson Human Relations Commission, applaud the courage of the jury in George Floyd’s murder trial for being willing to make the right choice. We respect the bravery of the civilians and law enforcement officials that refused to stand in silence and we will continue our work to ensure better police community relations in the City of Jackson understanding that improving this relationship in our City is a positive step in the process of eliminating systemic racism throughout our country.

The momentous guilty verdict on all charges regarding the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a potential step towards better police community relations for the country.

Former Officer Derek Chauvin’s behavior was not; proper police conduct, trained police technique, or acceptable by police standards. Other police officers and their superiors willingly crossed the esoteric “thin blue line” and condemned his behavior indicating that there are law enforcement officials not willing accept or overlook improper police conduct. This deviation from the standard condoning such behavior and/or the deafening indifference of simply professing a disdain for this type of behavior is a step towards healing the relationship between the law enforcement community and communities of color.

Now is a critical time to look closely at the policies and procedures that have guided police conduct and affected police relations with the Black community throughout the history of our country. We must collectively join together to help our nation better understand that the desire to re-evaluate the practices that have brought tragedies and discriminatory treatment to disparate communities is not a desire to eliminate police departments or a statement against law enforcement, but instead a call for impartial and equitable policing for all communities.

-The City of Jackson Human Relations Commission