John, A sense of justice at last? Our justice system got it right this time. Ex-officer Derek Chauvin has been found guilty on all three counts in the murder of George Floyd, an act of violence that turned the spark of reform into a full-blown fire: an ongoing, nationwide cry to change the way we police in America. For nearly a year, our nation has been grieving for George Floyd, for his family, for all victims of unchecked police violence, and for what we have lost as a society. What some of us in communities marginalized by the system have never had: a sense of justice and security. But yesterday, one jury sent a message that the profession of policing can be held accountable to the rule of law, the bedrock of our democracy. Today, our most vulnerable communities can begin to have hope that the system can change. We will never recover the lives that have been lost or erase the trauma families have endured, but decades of pain may begin to heal. The current institution of policing can be remade. Building on this pivotal moment, we can foster the mindset of police as public servants and as members of their communities -- and end the mentality of police as enforcers. This historic verdict reinforces our fundamental need to do better. As police, we understand that we serve our communities. ALL communities. Making amends to the communities that have been disproportionately targeted by the justice system is necessary. We need to admit our failings, hold ourselves to a higher standard, and call on our colleagues to do the same. This trial set a new precedent when several officers openly testified against the methods used by Derek Chauvin. The “blue wall of silence” was breached as they courageously stood against injustice. Accountability and transparency are no longer negotiable. The conversation is now forever changed. The hope this verdict brings to communities in pain presents an invaluable opportunity: this is the time to step back and acknowledge each other as equal stakeholders in our communities, then move forward, together, with a common goal. Prioritizing community wellbeing, public safety, and innovative solutions to a system that hasn’t been working as it should. Our work has just begun. Now, we need to harness the momentum of this historic decision and get back to work. So many of us in law enforcement have chosen this profession for the right reasons. This is our chance to make sure what we felt as the verdict was read is just the beginning of a large-scale, meaningful transformation of our system. Propelling positive change forward must be our goal. All communities must feel heard, feel acknowledged, feel safe. This was never really about “good police” and “bad police.” Our policies must ensure that use of force standards respect the sanctity of life. ALL police must strive to perform their jobs correctly, holding themselves and each other accountable, and treating the people they serve with dignity and respect. LEAP stands with our fellow police and with our communities, believing that to truly get to a better place, we must stay on this path, act to build trust, and commit to creating a system that works for all of us. Now is the time. It’s long past due. Let’s get to work.
In solidarity, 
Lt. Diane Goldstein (Ret.)
Executive Director | 
