Floyd Murder Verdict One Step To Justice: North Shore Officials

BEVERLY, MA — As North Shore law enforcement, school officials and lawmakers applauded the murder conviction of former Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd, there was an allowance that while the verdict may have been the start of an era of police accountability there is still much work to be done on all forms of racial justice.

U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Salem) released a statement shortly after the verdict was announced Tuesday night saying that while true justice would be Floyd still being alive, the jury's unanimous determination that Chauvin is guilty on all charges "is proof that police officers are not above the law, and that Black lives matter."

"Still, a single conviction does not fix our system," Moulton said. "Nor does it change the fact policing in the United States has a violent, flawed history. That history will continue to repeat itself if we fail to entirely transform the institution of policing."

Moulton advocated going beyond implicit bias training and "change the attitude and culture of policing." He added that departments must "root out racist police officers" and create stronger relationships between officers and the community.

Beverly Police Chief John LeLacheur, who is a member of the Beverly Task Force for Racial Equity, said the second-degree murder verdict that carries a sentence of up to 40 years in prison was fair and just.

"I believe the defendant was afforded due process required by our constitution and our system of justice, (and) the honorable and informed jury absolutely got it right and that justice was served," LeLacheur posted on his personal social media account. "I hope the family of George Floyd finds some solace in this historic verdict."

Salem Public Schools pledged to continue to work to recognize and rectify "racial trauma and repeated exposure to violence and inequalities" that are still "an ongoing area of concern."

"It is our responsibility as a school community to uplift our core values of equity and access, celebration of difference, collaboration, and fostering a culture of learning and innovation, all through a lens of equity," the district said in a statement on Wednesday. "We are not powerless to change. We are committed to moving beyond good intentions to measurable and impactful results.

"Racial justice initiatives are for the common good of all children. We will continue to engage stakeholders in conversations, even when it is uncomfortable. All SPS students benefit from an anti-racism education.

"We commit to turning the mirror inward and advancing an anti-racist and equity-based learning community."

A joint statement from Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll and Salem Acting Police Chief Dennis King said the verdict "does not eliminate the need for action today. And it does not excuse inaction tomorrow."

Driscoll said the city will push incoming police chief Lucas Miller to implement body cameras for all Salem police, increase the deployment of mental health clinicians on the appropriate calls, prioritize de-escalation techniques and recruit officers of color "to earn the trust of all members of our community."

"May across America were relieved by yesterday's historic verdict," the statement said. "It may have felt like a vindication like a light shone on this terrible injustice revealing it for what it is. And I truly hope that light brings some degree of comfort to Mr. Floyd's family and loved ones.

"But it is, in the end, only one small light in a vast expanse of darkness."

State Sen. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn), who represents Marblehead and Swampscott, called the verdict "an important moment of accountability for our nation."

"Black lives matter, and we must continue to take sustained action against racism to ensure that individuals like George Floyd and so many others can safely go home to their families at the end of the day," Crighton said in a statement.

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)