Chauvin Trial: Cleveland Prepares For Possible Unrest

CLEVELAND — Cleveland police are prepared for any protests or civil unrest that may develop once a verdict is reached in the Derek Chauvin trial.

"We try to stay ready. Dealing with protests is not new to us. We stay on our game, in regards to that," Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson said Tuesday. "The police department and our emergency operations people are in constant conversation on what they anticipate will happen."

Should the need arise, Jackson said he would call on the Ohio National Guard or suburban police partners to quell unrest in Cleveland.

Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams said his department has learned valuable lessons from previous protests.

"Whether it's a peaceful protest or whether things go left of center — we're prepared for anything and everything," Williams said.

Read more: Derek Chauvin Trial: Jury Begins Verdict Deliberations

The Chauvin Trial

Chauvin faces third-degree murder, second-degree manslaughter, and second-degree unintentional murder charges in George Floyd's Memorial Day 2020 death. The jury began deliberations Monday.

Floyd died May 25, 2020 in Minneapolis. Officers were sent to investigate a "forgery in progress" and arrested Floyd. He was in police custody at the time of his death, and video of his arrest shows Chauvin kneeling on Floyd's neck for nearly 9 minutes. All four officers who were at the scene, including Chauvin, were fired the next day, and have since been criminally charged.

Floyd's death and video of his dying moments sparked protests across the nation. Cleveland, Columbus and Akron all saw clashes between protesters and police, and destruction of public and private property.

"People can rest assured the May 30 [protests] were an aberration," Williams said. "I don't want to say it can't happen again, but we are prepared for anything and everything that could happen."