A month after George Floyd’s death, what’s changed in policing — and what hasn’t

If we don’t do it right, we’ll be right back here again: A month after George Floyd’s death, what’s changed in policing — and what hasn’t

Ganesha was interviewed by the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

A month after George Floyd’s death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer sparked ongoing daily protests across the country, policymakers in Milwaukee and Wisconsin have joined those around the nation in proposing dozens of police reforms. Some, such as banning chokeholds, could be implemented relatively easily, experts say. But others, including measures designed to make police more accountable to the community, are more complex and need to be undertaken with deliberation and dialog if they are to have any chance of resulting in lasting change.

“I’m happy and hopeful about this groundswell of support in trying to move the needle, but what I have been telling everyone is that the bridge from the protesting in the street to the policy and training is critical,” said Ganesha Martin, former director of the mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice in Baltimore. 

“If we don’t do it right, we’ll be right back here again.”