SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — In the aftermath of George Floyd’s death and protests that followed, state lawmakers in New Mexico have eliminated police immunity from prosecution in state courts and enacted a flurry of reforms aimed at addressing racial inequities.
The conviction Tuesday of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is shifting public attention toward reform efforts in dozens of states to provide greater police accountability. Many states have done little or nothing, or moved in the opposite direction. New Mexico's Democrat-led legislature prohibited discrimination based on traditional hairstyles and head coverings, and approved anti-racism training requirements for public school personnel.