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The Justice Department discovered that Memphis Police used too much force and showed discrimination towards Black residents. The department has been closely watched since the death of Tyre Nichols. The report highlighted that children, in particular, were subjected to forceful and scary interactions with officers.
Written by Emily Cochrane and Shaila Dewan
On Wednesday, the Justice Department disclosed the findings of its inquiry into the Memphis Police Department, concluding that they had employed too much force, exhibited bias against Black individuals compared to white individuals, and mishandled individuals with mental health issues. The report emphasized that these civil rights violations had a damaging impact.
The report, which was 73 pages long, specifically highlighted how children were treated, mentioning that they had faced intimidating and scary interactions with law enforcement officers. An 8-year-old boy with behavioral health problems had been involved in at least nine incidents with officers between December 2021 and August 2023, where he was threatened, pushed, handcuffed, or thrown during those encounters.
Since January 2023, the Police Department has faced criticism for the death of Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man who was beaten to death 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 reports from other residents about a history of excessive force within the agency.
After Mr. Nichols’s death, the Justice Department started 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 involve both federal and state charges.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke from the civil rights division of the Justice Department stated that the residents 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 rectify the issues that have been identified.
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