Derek Chauvin is the police officer who held his knee on George Floyd’s neck until he died.

His actions have prompted a wave of anger in Minneapolis and across the United States, with rioters protesting the killing.

Minneapolis police have felt the need to protect Chauvin’s house in Oakdale because of the threats he has received.

The 44-year-old is a veteran officer in Minneapolis and has served the police for two decades.

His records show various complaints against him from an excessive use of force against people he has arrested.

The Wayne Reyes case

According to Star Tribune, Chauvin was one of the officers involved in the Wayne Reyes case.

Reyes supposedly aimed a gun at an officer after stabbing a friend and their girlfriend.
According to various reports, Reyes escaped but was shot dead after a police pursuit of him.

Before the death of George Floyd, there had been 18 complaints made against Chauvin, with disciplinary action being taken against him on two occasions.

In the Latrell Toles case, Chauvin was recognised for his bravery after shooting the arrested Toles twice.

Is Tou Thao compliant?

Also shown in the video showing Floyd’s death is Chauvin’s fellow officer, Tou Thao, who allowed his companion to kill Floyd.

Thao had also been under investigation for a use of excessive force before the incident and he has had six accusations made against him in the past.

According to the mayor of Minneapolis, Jacob Frey, Chauvin and Thao, as well as officers Thomas Lane and J. Alexander Kueng, were dismissed after the incident.