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The Justice Department found that Memphis Police have been using excessive force and discriminating against Black residents. The department has been under investigation since the death of Tyre Nichols last year. The report highlighted that children, in particular, have faced aggressive and intimidating interactions with officers.
Authored by Emily Cochrane and Shaila Dewan
On Wednesday, the Justice Department shared the findings of its inquiry into the Memphis Police Department, revealing instances of excessive force, discriminatory treatment towards Black individuals compared to white individuals, and mistreatment of those with mental health issues. The report highlighted the negative impact of these civil rights violations as being "corrosive."
In the 73-page report, it was highlighted how children were treated, with mentions of "aggressive and scary interactions with officers." The report pointed out a 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 frequently threatened, pushed, handcuffed, or thrown.
Since January 2023, the Police Department has faced criticism 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 public outrage and accounts from other individuals about the department’s history of using excessive force.
After Mr. Nichols died, the Justice Department started looking into potential civil rights violations in what is known as a pattern-or-practice investigation. This investigation is distinct from the charges brought against five former Memphis officers at both the federal and state levels related to the incident.
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 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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