US Government Launches Investigation into Memphis Police
Department after Death of Tyre Nichols
The US Department of Justice has announced it will
investigate the Memphis Police Department following the death of Tyre Nichols.
Mr Nichols, a 29-year-old black man, died in January, three days after he was
pulled over and beaten by police.
The Department of Justice said it would examine “certain
policies and practices of the Memphis Police Department,” in response to a
request from Memphis’ police chief in the wake of Mr Nichols’ death.
The Investigation will focus on the department’s training,
data and processes related to use of force, de-escalation, and special police
units, like the one involved in stopping Mr Nichols before his death.
The announcement of the investigation has been welcomed by
civil rights groups, who have long called for greater accountability for police
officers involved in the deaths of unarmed black men.
“We are glad that the Department of Justice has initiated an
inquiry into the Memphis Police Department,” stated Sherrilyn Ifill, President
and Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund
The investigation is the latest in a series of federal
probes into police departments across the country, including in Minneapolis,
where former police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of murder in the death
of George Floyd last year.
Memphis police chief CJ Davis said in a statement that the
department was committed to cooperating with the federal investigation.
“She stated that we are steadfast in our commitment to
professionalism, accountability, and openness. This investigation will
undoubtedly highlight areas where our policies and practices need to be
tightened and enhanced in order to better serve the neighborhood.
The Investigation comes at a time of heightened scrutiny of
police departments across the United States, as calls for police reform and
racial justice continue to grow.
Justice Department Urges Assessment of Specialized Police
Units After Death of Tyre Nichols
Following the death of Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old black man
who died in January after being beaten by police during a traffic stop, the US
Justice Department has called for a reassessment of specialized police units.
The announcement was made by Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta, who said
that police chiefs across the country were being urged to assess the use of
such units, and to ensure appropriate management, oversight, and
accountability.
Mr. Nichols’ death sparked protests across the country, with
many calling for greater accountability for police officers involved in the
deaths of unarmed black men. In response to the outcry, the Justice Department
launched a civil rights investigation into the Memphis Police Department.
The review will examine the department’s training, data, and
processes related to use of force, de-escalation, and specialized police units.
The agency has said that it will share its findings and issue recommendations
once the review is complete.
Associate Attorney General Gupta said in a statement, “In
the wake of Tyre Nichols’s tragic death, the Justice Department has heard from
police chiefs across the country who are assessing the use of specialized units
and, where used, appropriate management, oversight, and accountability for such
units.”
The call for a reassessment of specialized police units
comes at a time of heightened scrutiny of police departments across the US,
with demands for police reform and racial justice growing louder. The
conviction of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for the murder of
George Floyd last year has also brought renewed attention to the issue of
police brutality.
The Justice Department’s review is expected to take some time,
but it is hoped that the findings will lead to meaningful change in police
practices and increased accountability for officers who abuse their power.
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