Houston Chief of Police Art Acevedo called on Wednesday for "meaningful reform" in policing and "being honest" about the profession's history of "institutional racism, injustices, and brutality." But he warned House lawmakers that "underfunding the police can have disastrous consequences and hurt those most in need of our services."

In the aftermath of George Floyd's death and the protests sweeping the nation, the House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on enacting police reforms June 10 with testimony from Acevedo and several other witnesses, including Floyd's brother Philonise Floyd.

"The actions of the four officers involved in the death of Mr. Floyd are inconsistent, unjustified and repulsive," Acevedo told the members of the committee by remote video. "Moving our profession forward begins with a sustained commitment to accountability," he added.

At the end of his statement, he addressed the Floyd family and activists across the nation, saying he and others would work "to make sure Mr. Floyd's death was not in vain."

Stream your PBS favorites with the PBS app: https://to.pbs.org/2Jb8twG
Find more from PBS NewsHour at https://www.pbs.org/newshour
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/2HfsCD6

Follow us:
Facebook: http://www.pbs.org/newshour
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/newshour
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/newshour
Snapchat: @pbsnews

Subscribe:
PBS NewsHour podcasts: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/podcasts
Newsletters: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/subscribe