MADISON, Wis.– Community leaders are reflecting on the changes that have been made and the ones that still need work on the one year anniversary of George Floyd’s murder.
Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes joined Boys and Girls Club of Dane County CEO Michael Johnson and other community leaders in April to watch a jury find Derek Chauvin guilty of killing Floyd.
Johnson said the verdict was a conclusion to the trial, but not to the larger issue at hand.
“This won’t be the last time we see this. Since Mr. Floyd was killed, there’s been hundreds of other police involved shootings, and so we have to look at it from a policy perspective,” Johnson said.
Barnes recognizes there’s room for police reform and is open to bringing national recommendations to Madison. Two of which, a police oversight board and an all-staff requirement to complete ICAT or de-escalation training, were added in the last year.
“I’m open to transparency, so that you can see the good and the bad,” Barnes said.
Since Floyd, Barnes said he’s seen more dialogue between police departments and the communities they serve.
“For many years, police departments were insulated, Barnes said. “Now, we’re forced to share policies, to share information.”
One thing Barnes took away from this year was the value of trust and the promise to keep building it.
“I think we’re on a great path, but it’s my goal, my hope that we’ll again repair those relationships. So our citizens can see us, our community members, our residents, anyone in the city of Madison city limits will see us as part of their community once again,” Barnes said.
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