Temperatures will continue to fall over the next few days

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

It was a highly anticipated moment in the trial of Derek Chauvin. On Monday, Minneapolis Police Chief 

 against his former officer, saying Chauvin’s use of force against George Floyd was not reasonable and not within department policy. 

“It is certainly not part of our ethics or values,” he testified. 

Last summer, Arradondo even called Floyd’s death 

It’s rare for a police chief to offer such blunt testimony and statements about an officer, leading to speculation that the so-called blue wall of silence — a long-held belief among officers that they shouldn’t criticize their own — may be cracking. 

MPR News host Kerri Miller examined how some police chiefs are spearheading reform. How do they balance the needs of the communities they serve, the city leaders who hire them, and the officers they lead? 

To listen to the full conversation you can use the audio player above.

Subscribe to the MPR News with Kerri Miller podcast on: 

Shows

Big Books & Bold Ideas with Kerri Miller

Crime, Law and Justice

The murder of George Floyd

Host

Author

After Minneapolis Chief Medaria Arradondo took the rare step of testifying against former officer Derek Chauvin, some experts are wondering if the long-held police code of silence may be crumbling.

After Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arrodondo took the rare step of testifying against former office Derek Chauvin, some experts are wondering if the long-held police code of silence may be crumbling.  

Is the blue wall of silence starting to crack?

A man in a police uniform speaks during testimony.

Is the blue wall of silence starting to crack?

Go Deeper.

Like this?