Memphis police are releasing another 20 hours of footage as part of the investigation into Tire Nichols’ death
DoJ announces review of Memphis Police Department after Tire Nichols death — as police prepare to release 20 hours of additional footage
- Nichols died after being punched and kicked by Memphis police on January 7
- Five have been charged with first-degree murder and seven have been fired
- The Memphis Police Department will release audio recordings and more video footage today
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The Justice Department has announced it is reviewing the Memphis Police Department in light of the death of Tire Nichols, an unarmed black man who died in January after being kicked and punched by five officers.
The DoJ’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services will review the department’s practices and make relevant recommendations.
“In the wake of the tragic death of Tire Nichols, the Justice Department has heard from police chiefs across the country reviewing the use of specialized units and, if used, appropriate management, oversight and accountability for such units,” said Associate Attorney General. Vanita Gupta.
Nichols, an unarmed black man, died after being kicked and punched by Memphis police in January
The announcement on Wednesday comes as the Memphis Police Department prepares to release an additional 20 hours of footage from the aftermath of Nichols’ arrest.
The new files are expected to contain audio of what was said after Nichols was taken to the hospital and in the ambulance.
Police waited 19 minutes before alerting EMS on January 7. The five officers involved – all from the Scorpion unit – claim they arrested Nichols on suspicion of reckless driving.
Those five officers are criminally charged with manslaughter, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression.
Two other officers have also been fired, including one whose resignation was only announced yesterday.
That officer has not yet been named.
From top row from left, Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, bottom row from left, Desmond Mills, Jr. and Justin Smith. All have been charged with Nichols’ death
Preston Hemphill was the sixth officer to lose his job.
He faced no criminal charges, but was fired after an internal investigation found him to have violated multiple department policies, including personal conduct, truthfulness, and failure to properly use his taser.
His father defended him against DailyMail.com, claiming that he and the other indicted officers were just doing their jobs.
“I agree, it looks bad, but those five cops at the end, they’re doing what they’re supposed to do, they’re doing what they’re trained to do,” the father, Robert Hemphill, told DailyMail.com.
The five officers indicted pleaded not guilty in court last month.