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The Justice Department found that Memphis Police engaged in excessive force and discrimination against Black residents. The department has been closely monitored since the death of Tyre Nichols last year. The report highlighted instances where children had been subjected to intimidating and aggressive interactions with officers.
Written by Emily Cochrane and Shaila Dewan
On Wednesday, the Justice Department made public the findings of its investigation into the Memphis Police Department. The investigation revealed that the department had engaged in excessive use of force, discriminatory treatment towards Black individuals compared to white individuals, and mistreatment of those with mental health concerns. The report stated that these civil rights violations had a damaging impact.
In a 73-page report, it was highlighted how children were treated poorly by officers, often facing aggressive and scary interactions. The report mentioned a specific case of an 8-year-old boy with behavioral health problems, who had nine encounters with officers between December 2021 and August 2023. During these encounters, the boy was threatened, pushed, handcuffed, or thrown by the officers.
The Police Department has faced criticism since January 2023, following the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man, by officers during a traffic stop on his way home from work. The incident was recorded by body and street cameras, leading to widespread public outrage and accounts from other community members detailing a history of excessive force within the agency.
After Mr. Nichols died, the Justice Department began looking into potential violations of civil rights through a pattern-or-practice inquiry six months later. This inquiry is distinct from the charges brought against five former Memphis officers at both the federal and state level related to the case.
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 they are eager to implement changes that will rectify the issues they have identified.
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