On Tuesday, Derek Chauvin was found guilty of murdering George Floyd.

We know that this verdict will not bring George Floyd back, but I hope George Floyd’s family and loved ones are able to find some closure in this week’s conviction. Like many of my fellow Americans, I felt a sense of relief that, for once, the correct verdict was reached. While there is now at least a verdict that recognizes that Derek Chauvin killed George Floyd, I know that is not justice.

And I know that, as a New York state senator, I have the ability to help reimagine what policing looks like in our state, and to fundamentally change our public safety system to make it both safer and more just.

So I’d like to share some ideas that I have about the future of criminal justice in our state, and tell you about some steps that I’ve already taken to tackle the issues of over-policing and police misconduct.

One thing I have learned from advocates, and that I plan to do something about, is that we simply criminalize too much daily activity. I was proud we legalized marijuana this year with MRTA, a bill which will also reinvest in communities hurt by the racist drug war. It is also why, last year, I proposed the policy of removing police from traffic enforcement. We have health inspectors, not police, enforce our food safety laws, and we do it by imposing civil penalties, not criminal ones. We can do the same with so many things police are tasked with doing. This is especially important because brand new research shows that reducing the scope of criminalization of misdemeanor offenses really improves public safety.

We also must make police officers themselves civilly liable for their wrongdoings. Right now, police officers are completely insured by the state when they are found to have violated another citizen’s civil rights, even when a plaintiff is able to get past qualified immunity and prove a suit against them.

That’s why last year I introduced a bill that would require officers to carry liability insurance - like doctors - rather than have their municipality pay for their misconduct. It is also why I am a co-sponsor of Senator Myrie’s bill that would end qualified immunity in the state.

There is so much work to do. Over the course of Derek Chauvin’s trial, over 60 Americans were murdered by police officers. Our criminal justice system requires sweeping systemic changes and new ways of thinking in order to transform our society to one of safety and security for all.

True justice is a world where governments ensure safety without violence. I am working to make that world a reality, one small step at a time.

Thank you for reading,

Alessandra