The U.S. Department of Justice will conduct an “independent, external review” of the Memphis Police Department following the death of Tyre Nichols. Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland has said that the investigation is being conducted “to honor Tyre and help make sure this type of tragedy does not happen again.”
“As Tyre Nichols was laid to rest earlier this week, my thoughts and prayers continue to be with his family and friends from whom he was taken much too soon,” Strickland stated.
Last month, 29-year-old Tyre Nichols was stopped by now-former officer Preston Hemphill and beaten by five other Memphis Police Department officers for more than three minutes. After the beating concluded, he was left on the street for more than 20 minutes without medical attention. Nichols was eventually transported to the hospital and pronounced dead three days later. In the aftermath of Nichols’ death, all six officers have been fired and five have been indicted on second-degree murder charges.
“The independent, external review by these agencies will include an assessment of MPD’s Special Units and use of force policies,” a statement from Strickland reads.
“While we no doubt have a long way to go on the road to healing, hopefully through our actions, citizens will see we are working to be better and that we are heading down the right path.”
