Topline
Seven additional Memphis police officers will face disciplinary charges following the death of Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man who was killed in an encounter with city police last month, as the Memphis City Council announced a string of public safety proposals and reforms in its first meeting since footage of the incident was released.
Seven additional Memphis police officers will be disciplined following the death of Tyre Nichols.
Key Facts
Jennifer Sink, the city’s chief legal officer, told council members Tuesday that seven more police officers will be issued a “statement of charges” for policy violations by the end of the week, adding the city will not identify the officers until an investigation is complete.
Council members also requested Police Chief C.J. Davis and the Memphis Police Department compile a number of all involved officers and a time line as to when investigations against them began.
Davis, who said “about ten” police officers responded to the traffic stop involving Nichols, said, “wolf pack mentality, egos” lead to Nichols’ death—though she added each officer received “exceptional” training beforehand.
The city council proposed ordinances to establish procedures for an independent review of police training and new standards for traffic stops, which would require police officers to use only marked vehicles.
A new process for reviewing complaints against the Memphis Police Department was also introduced, which would allow council members to directly respond to complaints and require police officials to disclose all documentation—including body cam footage—of the reported incident within five days.
Big Number
13. That’s how many police officers have faced disciplinary charges by the Memphis Police Department so far. Five officers have been criminally charged in connection with Nichols’ death, while a sixth was “relieved of duty” in late January.
Key Background
Nichols died of excessive blood loss at a Memphis hospital on January 10, three days after he was pulled over in what police called a routine traffic stop. The five officers directly involved in the incident, who are also Black, were charged with second-degree murder and have been fired by the Memphis Police Department. All five—Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin, Desmond Mills Jr. and Justin Smith—were “directly responsible” for Nichols’ death, according to the Shelby District Attorney’s Office. The officers face charges of aggravated assault, official oppression and official misconduct. Davis, who said the incident was “about the same, if not worse” than the violent 1991 police beating of Rodney King, described Nichols’ death as “heinous” and a defiance of “humanity.”
Further Reading
Sixth Memphis Police Officer ‘Relieved Of Duty’ After Tyre Nichols’ Death (Forbes)
Tyre Nichols Video: Here Are They Key Questions After Shocking Footage Released (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2023/02/07/7-additional-memphis-police-officers-to-be-disciplined-for-tyre-nichols-death/