Today, Dr. Phillip Atiba Goff, Co-founder and CEO of Center for Policing Equity (CPE), released the following statement regarding the verdict in the murder trial of the People v. Jason Van Dyke:
“Laquan McDonald was shot and killed by Officer Jason Van Dyke four years ago. Different accounts of the incident led to differing opinions, but video ended reasonable debate: Laquan was walking away, presenting no threat to the officer.
So today’s decision was a long time coming. Not just for the people of Chicago, but for people across the country who care about the dignity of human life. Public safety is a delicate relationship – it begins with trust in the law and not fear of it. But trust will never be established between police and communities if injustice is common and accountability is rare.
While this decision does not make up for the pain and anguish experienced by the McDonald family and communities throughout Chicago, it is a step towards something like right. The hurt remains. The work continues. But there is one less tragedy left ignored tonight. And that is something.”