Sixth police officer suspended after Tyre Nichols’ death
A sixth police officer was relieved of duty at the Memphis Police Department following the death of Tyre Nichols.
Officer Preston Hemphill was suspended shortly after the 29-year-old’s violent arrest on January 7, police spokesperson Karen Rudolph confirmed.
Rudolph did not go into further details about the suspension, including what role Hemphill played in the incident that lead to Nichols’ death on January 10.
‘Remember, we said this investigation is ongoing. More information will be shared as it develops,’ Rudolph said.
The other five police officers involved in the beating were all arrested and charged with second-degree murder. Additionally, two Shelby County Sheriff’s Office deputies were relieved from duty, as well as two Memphis Fire Department employees.
Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy said his office would need more time for investigators before additional charges would be filed.
Memphis City Councilmember Martavius Jones called for further investigations against the officers who failed to render aid to Nichols after his arrest.
‘When everybody saw the video, we see that you have multiple officers just standing around, when Mr Nichols is in distress, that just paints a totally different picture,’ Jones said.
Authorities released footage of the brutal arrest on Friday, just days after the officers were charged with Nichols’ murder. The footage shows the five officers continue to beat, pepper spray, and stun Nichols. The officers then chat and mill about as Nichols writhes in pain on the ground.
Protests broke out in Memphis and other major US cities after the footage was released. His family has asked protesters to keep their demonstrations peaceful.
‘I don’t want us burning up our city, tearing up the streets, because that’s not what my son stood for,’ his mother RowVaughn Wells told protesters on Thursday. ‘If you guys are here for me and Tyre, then you will protest peacefully.’
They also announced they would disband the city’s SCORPION unit, which stands for ‘Stopping Crimes Operation to Restore Peace in Our Neighborhoods.’ All five of the arresting officers were members of the controversial unit.
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