Minneapolis Police Chief Arradondo Testifies Against Derek Chauvin

Racial Reckoning: The Arc of Justice

The Minneapolis Chief of police Medaria Arradondo testified Monday afternoon denouncing the actions of former police officer Derek Chauvin.

“That is not our policy, that is not what we teach and it shouldn’t be condoned,” said Arradondo.

Arradondo is the first African American to serve as chief of the Minneapolis police department. He was appointed to the position following the abrupt resignation of the previous chief, who stepped down after Officer Mohamed Noor shot and killed a white woman in 2017. During Chief Arradando’s testimony he went on to share how Chauvin’s actions did not align with MPD’s ethics.

Prosecuting attorney: “Did you see the defendant or any of the officers, attempt to provide first aid to Mr. Floyd?”

Chief Arradondo: “I did not see any of the defendants attempt to provide first aid to Mr. Floyd. The defendant violated our policy in terms of rendering aid”

Arradondo also stated that in most situations a counterfeit $20 bill is not an arrestable offense. The chief was released from the stand after nearly four hours of testimony. He was followed by Commander Kate Blackwell who was in charge of training at MPD. She says she’s known Derek Chauvin for 20 years.

She says the maneuver Derek Chauvin is not something the Minneapolis police are trained to use. When asked how it differs from what they teach, she responded “I don’t know what kind of improvised position that is.”

George Floyd’s brothers were both in the courtroom Monday - one in the morning, and one in the afternoon. Meanwhile the chair set aside for Derek Chauvin’s family has been removed due to lack of use.

Georgia Fort reporting for the Racial Reckoning project.