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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 Tyre Nichols died last year. The report mentioned that children, especially, had been subjected to intimidating and forceful interactions with officers.
Written by Emily Cochrane and Shaila Dewan
On Wednesday, the Justice Department published the findings of its inquiry into the Memphis Police Department. The investigation revealed that the department had been using too much force, discriminating against Black individuals compared to white individuals, and mistreating individuals with mental health problems. The report indicated that these civil rights violations had a damaging impact.
The report, which was 73 pages long, highlighted the way children were treated, emphasizing that they had faced intimidating and scary interactions with police officers. One specific case mentioned in the report was that of an 8-year-old boy with behavioral health problems who had been involved in at least nine incidents with officers between December 2021 and August 2023. During these encounters, he was threatened, pushed, handcuffed, or physically thrown.
Since January 2023, the Police Department has faced criticism for the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man, during a traffic stop on his way home from work. The incident was captured on body and street cameras, leading to widespread attention and testimony from community members regarding the department’s history of using excessive force.
Following Mr. Nichols’s death, the Justice Department initiated a civil rights investigation called a pattern-or-practice inquiry. This investigation is distinct from the charges brought against five former Memphis officers in relation to the case, which include both federal and state charges.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s civil rights division stated that the residents of Memphis should have a Police Department and city that respects their civil and constitutional rights, builds trust, and ensures their safety. She also mentioned that the agency is eager to implement changes to rectify the issues they have identified.
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