The U.S. Justice Department announced it could sue to enforce reforms on the Memphis police department, following a federal investigation that revealed unconstitutional use of force and racial targeting of Black individuals.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The U.S. Justice Department said Thursday that it could sue to require reforms at Memphis' police department if the city won't willingly agree to changes, after a federal investigation found that Memphis' officers routinely use unwarranted force and disproportionately target Black people.
The police department's practices violate the Constitution and federal law, and “harm and demean people and they promote distrust, undermining the fundamental safety mission of a police department,” Clarke said. Nichols, who was kicked, punched and beaten with a baton by officers, died three days after his encounter with police. Nichols was Black, as are the former officers involved in his beating. His death led to national protests, raised the volume on calls for police reforms in the U.S., and directed intense scrutiny towards the Memphis Police Department, more than half of whose members are Black, including Chief Cerelyn “CJ” Davis.
“Memphis police officers regularly violate the rights of the people they are sworn to serve,” according to the report, which noted that Black people were disproportionately affected by such violations. Nichols died three days after the beating. The five officers were fired, charged in state court with murder, and indicted by a federal grand jury on civil rights and witness tampering charges.
In a letter to the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, Memphis City Attorney Tannera George Gibson said the city had received a DOJ request to enter into a consent decree with federal oversight of the police department — but would not do so until it could review and challenge results of the investigation.
Justice Department Memphis Police Civil Rights Unconstitutional Force Racial Discrimination
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Memphis police use excessive force and discriminate against Black people, Justice Department findsMEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — The Memphis Police Department uses excessive force and discriminates against Black people, according to the findings of a U.S.
Read more »
Memphis police use excessive force and discriminate against Black people, Justice Department findsMEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — The Memphis Police Department uses excessive force and discriminates against Black people, according to the findings of a U.S.
Read more »
Memphis Police Department Found to Use Excessive Force Against Black PeopleA U.S. Department of Justice investigation reveals Memphis Police's discriminatory practices and excessive force against Black individuals, following the death of Tyre Nichols. The city is unwilling to negotiate federal oversight until it reviews the investigation's findings.
Read more »
Memphis Police Department Accused of Excessive Force in DOJ InvestigationA U.S. Department of Justice investigation concludes Memphis Police Department uses excessive force against Black people, following Tyre Nichols' death in 2023. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke emphasizes the need for reforms, but the city remains reluctant towards federal oversight.
Read more »
Memphis Police Department Accused of Excessive Force and Discrimination After Tyre Nichols DeathA U.S. Department of Justice report reveals that the Memphis Police Department uses excessive force against Black individuals, following the beating death of Tyre Nichols. The city is hesitant to accept federal oversight of the department.
Read more »
Justice Department finds a pattern of misconduct by police in Trenton, New JerseyTRENTON, N.J.
Read more »