7 more Memphis police officers may face discipline in Tyre Nichols case, city attorney says
Seven more officers with the Memphis Police Department may be disciplined in the aftermath of Tyre Nichols' death last month, officials said on Tuesday, bringing to 13 the number whose actions are in focus.
During a city council meeting, which focused on officers' conduct during the violent arrest that left Nichols with fatal injuries, the Memphis City Attorney Jennifer Sink spoke alongside Police Chief C.J. Davis to address an ongoing investigation at the police department.
Later, Sink said that, "There are seven additional officers who are under investigation. The administrative investigation is still ongoing, and so this information is subject to change. The administrative investigation is solely to determine if city policies were violated and what disciplinary action should be taken. The criminal investigation is being handled by the TBI (Tennesse Bureau of Investigation) and DA."
Nichols, a 29-year-old father and FedEx worker living in Memphis, was pulled over by police for an apparent traffic stop on the evening of Jan. 7. As seen in body-camera and surveillance footage later released by the city, Nichols proceeded to flee the area on foot before officers caught him and beat him at a nearby intersection.
The disturbing video sparked outrage across the country, reigniting congressional calls for police reform while raising questions about the conduct of a number of Memphis police officers and first responders involved in the arrest. Five officers were fired and charged with second-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression. At least two additional officers were relieved of duty on Jan. 8 as the investigation got underway, according to the police department. One of those two was fired on Feb. 3. The other is apparently among the seven Sink referred to Tuesday.
Davis told city council members on Tuesday that her review of the officers implicated in Nichols' case did not reveal warning signs related to conduct in their records when they joined the Memphis Police Department's now-terminated SCORPION unit. The police chief also referenced what she described as a longstanding shortage of supervisors within the police department, although she also said officers were given "exceptional" and frequent training.