Memphis PD Investigates Seven More Officers for Possible Involvement in Tire Nichols Case
The Memphis Police Department has suspended seven officers from duty in connection with the death of Tire Nichols
Memphis is investigating seven other officers in the Tire Nichols case, a city attorney said.
A total of 13 police officers could be disciplined for “policy violations,” Jennifer Sink told the Memphis City Council on Tuesday.
She declined to name the officers under investigation, saying the investigation is ongoing.
Mr Nichols, 29, died days after he was beaten by Memphis police officers following a traffic stop.
His death has renewed nationwide calls for police reform, and his family will attend President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address Tuesday night in Washington DC.
The President is expected to push for reforms in the televised address.
To date, seven police officers have been removed from duty in connection with the death of Mr Nichols, who was black, including six who have been fired and one unnamed officer who has been suspended.
Five of the fired officers – all also black – were charged with murder.
Three rescue workers were also fired for failing to provide adequate care to Mr Nichols.
In a written statement to the BBC on Tuesday, Ms Sink said an administrative inquiry into the additional officers was underway to “determine whether city guidelines have been breached and what disciplinary action should be taken”.
The “information is subject to change,” she said, and Memphis officials expect to share more information next week following the hearings.
Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn Davis told the city council that Memphis is “still adding names to the list of officers charged in the incident.”
She said about 10 police officers responded to the January 7 traffic incident.
Video footage of the encounter, released two weeks ago, shows police using a taser and pepper spraying and beating Mr Nichols.
The meeting, which focused on reforms after his death, was the first to be held since this footage was released.
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