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An investigation by the Department of Justice found that Memphis police officers used excessive force and discriminated against black residents. The police department has been facing criticism since the death of Tyre Nichols last year. The report highlighted instances where children, in particular, had been subjected to hostile and intimidating interactions with officers.
Written by Emily Cochrane and Shaila Dewan
The Justice Department revealed the findings of its inquiry into the Memphis Police Department, concluding that they had engaged in excessive force, showed bias towards Black individuals compared to white individuals, and mistreated those with mental health problems. The report highlighted that these civil rights violations had a damaging impact.
The report, which was 73 pages long, emphasized how children were treated, mentioning that they had faced scary and forceful interactions with officers. For example, it mentioned a 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, he was threatened, pushed, handcuffed, and thrown around multiple times.
Since January 2023, the Police Department has faced criticism for 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 recorded on body and street cameras, sparking outrage nationwide and leading to testimonies from other residents regarding the department’s history of using excessive force.
After Mr. Nichols’s death, the Justice Department began 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 incident.
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 local government that upholds their civil and constitutional rights, builds trust, and ensures their safety. She mentioned that the agency is eager to implement changes that will rectify the issues that were identified.
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