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DoJ announces review of Memphis Police Department in wake of Tyre Nichols death – as cops prepare to release 20 hours of additional footage
- Nichols died after being beaten and kicked by Memphis cops on January 7
- Five have been charged with second degree murder and seven have been fired
- Memphis cops will today release audio recordings and more video footage
The Department of Justice has announced it is reviewing the Memphis Police Department in light of the death of Tyre Nichols, an unarmed black man who died in January after being kicked and punched by five cops.
The DoJ’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services will conduct the review of the department’s practices and make relevant recommendations.
‘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,’ said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta.
Nichols, an unarmed black man, died after being kicked and beaten by Memphis cops in January
The announcement on Wednesday comes as the Memphis Police Department prepares to release 20 additional 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.
Cops waited 19 minutes before alerting EMS on January 7. The five officers involved – all from the Scorpion unit – claim they were arresting Nichols on suspicion of reckless driving.
Those five officers have been criminally charged with second-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression.
Two other cops have also been fired, including one whose termination was only announced yesterday.
That officer has not yet been named.
Preston Hemphill was the sixth officer to lose his job. He has not been criminally charged, but fired after an internal investigation determined he violated multiple department policies including personal conduct, truthfulness and not using his taser properly.
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 in Nichols’ death
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