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The Justice Department found that Memphis police used too much force and discriminated against Black residents. The department has been closely watched since the death of Tyre Nichols last year. The report also mentioned that children had faced intimidating interactions with officers.
Written by Emily Cochrane and Shaila Dewan
On Wednesday, the Justice Department published the findings of its examination of the Memphis Police Department, which revealed instances of excessive force, discriminatory treatment towards Black individuals compared to white individuals, and mistreatment of individuals with mental health challenges. The report highlighted that these violations of civil rights had a damaging impact.
The report, which was 73 pages long, highlighted the way children were treated, emphasizing that they had faced intimidating and hostile interactions with officers. One specific case mentioned in the report was about an 8-year-old boy with behavioral health problems who had been in contact with officers at least nine times from December 2021 to August 2023. During these encounters, the boy was threatened, pushed, handcuffed, or even thrown by the officers.
Since January 2023, there has been increased attention on the Police Department following the death of Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man who was fatally beaten by officers during a traffic stop on his way home from work. The incident was captured on body and street cameras, leading to widespread outrage and testimony from other community members about the department’s history of using excessive force.
Following the death of Mr. Nichols, the Justice Department began looking into potential civil rights violations through a pattern-or-practice inquiry. This investigation is distinct from the charges brought against five former Memphis officers related to the case, which have been filed at both federal and state levels.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s civil rights division stated that the citizens of Memphis should have a Police Department and city that upholds their civil and constitutional rights, builds trust, and ensures their safety. She mentioned that the agency is eager to implement changes to fix the issues that were identified.
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