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The Justice Department has found that Memphis Police have used excessive force and discriminated against black residents. The department has been under investigation since the death of Tyre Nichols. The report highlighted instances where children, in particular, had negative and intimidating interactions with officers.
Written by Emily Cochrane and Shaila Dewan.
On Wednesday, the Justice Department revealed the findings of its investigation into the Memphis Police Department, concluding that they had been using too much force, being harsher towards Black individuals compared to white individuals, and mistreating those with mental health problems. The report highlighted that these civil rights violations had a negative impact.
In a 73-page report, it was emphasized how children were mistreated by officers, with some experiencing aggressive and scary interactions. The report highlighted the case of an 8-year-old boy with behavioral health problems who had multiple encounters with officers between December 2021 and August 2023. During these encounters, he was threatened, pushed, handcuffed, and even thrown.
The Police Department has faced criticism since January 2023, when officers killed Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man, during a traffic stop on his way home from work. Video footage from body and street cameras showing the incident led to widespread public outrage and testimonies from other individuals about the department’s history of using excessive force.
The Justice Department started looking into potential civil rights violations in the case of Mr. Nichols six months after his death. This investigation, known as a pattern-or-practice inquiry, is distinct from the charges brought against five former Memphis officers by federal and state authorities.
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 also mentioned that the agency is eager to implement changes that will rectify the problems they have identified.
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