Derek Chauvin: Officer involved in George Floyd death had '17 complaints' filed against him during career
The 19-year police career of Derek Chauvin - the police officer who knelt on George Floyd's neck - was littered with complaints about his conduct.
Seventeen were filed against him, of which two resulted in formal reprimands. The others appear to have been closed without further action being taken.
Chauvin, 44, nevertheless also received two commendations, including the police department’s medal of valour in 2008.
He moonlighted providing security at El Nuevo Rodeo, a nightclub in the heart of Minneapolis.
George Floyd, the man Chauvin is accused of killing, was also a bouncer at the club, but it is not thought the two men ever came into contact.
Maya Santamaria, the club’s former owner, told the Minnesota Star Tribune, that Chauvin became her “main guy” when it came to security.
“I’ve seen him in action and I’ve seen him lose it and I’ve called him out on it before,” she said.
“I’ve told him it’s unnecessary and unjustified, some of the ways that he behaves. He just loses it.”
Apparently Chauvin was particularly uneasy on “Twerk Fest Tuesdays”, a night when there would be a higher proportion of black patrons.
In late 2018 and early 2019, Chauvin also worked as an estate agent as well as serving as a police officer.
Chauvin's wife, Kellie, this weekend filed for divorce. Her lawyer said Ms Chauvin had been deeply upset by Mr Floyd's death.
"She is devastated by Mr Floyd's death and her utmost sympathy lies with his family, with his loved ones and with everyone who is grieving this tragedy," the Sekula Law Offices said in a statement on behalf of Ms Chauvin.
Some details of Chauvin’s chequered career in law enforcement were included in a report compiled by Communities United Against Police Brutality, a 20-year-old non-profit organisation in Minneapolis.
The first incident of note took place in 2005 when two people were killed after their car was hit by a vehicle being chased by Chauvin and another officer, Terry Nutter.
In 2006 Chauvin was one of six officers who responded to an emergency call following a stabbing in the south of the city.
The suspect, Warren Reyes, was shot dead after he pointed a sawn-off shotgun at the police. A grand jury cleared the officers of wrongdoing, saying the use of force was justified.
Two years later Chauvin was involved in another shooting incident when he and another officer were called to a domestic violence incident.
In this case, the suspect, Ira Latrell Toles, was shot in the abdomen during a struggle in which he tried to grab Chauvin’s gun.
In 2011 Chauvin was placed on administrative leave after being one of several policemen present when another officer shot Leroy Martinez, who refused to drop his gun.
