Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner pledges to announce police reforms in wake of Chauvin verdict

In the hours after a jury found Derek Chauvin guilty in the murder of George Floyd, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner told reporters he would make an announcement next week on how he will advance his police reform agenda.

Joined by Houston police chief Troy Finner, Turner said the verdict represented a moment for reflection, not celebration.

"Justice has been served," Turner said. "The jury has spoken, but it is time for this country to reach deep down and find a way to move forward. ... We need the community and law enforcement to work hand in hand in the best interest of the people we serve. It is a time to be reflective and ask what we can do to make our city better, our country better, and find ways to work together."

Turner did not specify which reforms he would announce.

"We are committed to implementing the overwhelming majority of the recommendations of the mayor’s task force on police reform," Turner said.

His task force on police reform posed over 100 recommendations last year in the wake of Floyd's death.

"I think our citizens are going to be very proud of what the mayor and task force has done," Finner said.

Finner also said the verdict sent a clear message to law enforcement: "No one is above the law, especially those who take an oath and swore to uphold the law and protect one another."