Minneapolis Officers Accuse Assistant Chief Of False Testimony In Chauvin Trial

A group of 14 current and former officers from the Minneapolis Police Department has come forward, accusing Assistant Chief Katie Blackwell of giving false testimony during the trial of Derek Chauvin. The officers claim Blackwell lied when she stated that the knee-to-neck restraint used on George Floyd was not part of police training.

The officers submitted sworn declarations stating that the restraint Chauvin used was part of the maximal-restraint technique (MRT), which was taught and authorized by the department until 2023. According to the officers, this training was well known among MPD personnel.

The declarations are part of a defamation lawsuit filed by Blackwell against Alpha News. Blackwell alleges the outlet falsely suggested in their documentary The Fall of Minneapolis that she lied during Chauvin’s trial. In response, Alpha News’ attorneys filed sworn statements from officers who claim the restraint method was part of standard training.

One former officer, Ken Tidgwell, stated that the MRT involved using a knee to control the head and upper shoulder during handcuffing. “Every MPD officer knows this was trained,” Tidgwell said. He added that Blackwell’s claim during the trial contradicted what officers were taught.

Chauvin, who was convicted of multiple charges in Floyd’s death, has appealed his case. His legal team argues that Floyd’s underlying health conditions and drug use may have contributed to his death. Recently, a federal judge granted Chauvin’s attorneys access to additional medical evidence as part of the appeal process.

The case has reignited debates over police training and accountability, particularly in the aftermath of widespread riots and protests that followed Floyd’s death in 2020.

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