Local, national law enforcement prepare for possible protests following Derek Chauvin trial verdict

ORLANDO, Fla. — As a verdict nears in the trial of the former Minneapolis police officer charged with killing George Floyd, Central Florida police departments are keeping an eye out for possible protests.

As of Monday afternoon, there is no indication of any large protests planned in Orlando, only a rally scheduled Saturday afternoon in downtown.

READ: Gov. DeSantis signs ‘anti-riot’ bill into law in Polk County

But law enforcement agencies locally and across the country are keeping tabs on the verdict.

Washington, D.C.’s police chief has put his law enforcement officers on 12-hour shifts, and businesses in places like Los Angeles are prepared to close.

READ: Derek Chauvin trial: Jury begins deliberations

In Orlando, police chief Orlando Rolon sent an email to the department saying that he expects the trial to end in a week, but said, “there are no specific concerns for our area, but we will have a plan in place for the day of the verdict.”

READ: Chauvin trial: what happens now; who the jurors are; what sentence could Chauvin face?