Memphis police officers shouted 71 commands at Tire Nichols in a span of 13 minutes before officially announcing over the radio that he was in custody, according to a New York Times analysis.
The warrants, which the Times described as “often simultaneous and contradictory”, were issued in two places: the first by his vehicle and the second in the area where he fled and where he would be severely beaten.
The Times said the newspaper analyzed all available video, which includes footage from police body cameras and street cameras, released by the city of Memphis on Friday.
Despite modern police training requiring an officer on the scene to issue clear and specific commands to prevent escalation and confusion, the Memphis cops did the exact opposite with Nichols while their body cameras were recording. “This is just … it’s so out of the ordinary,” Geoffrey Alpert, a professor of criminology and criminal justice at the University of South Carolina, told the Times.
Alpert explained that the phenomenon of “disrespect for police,” when officers physically punished civilians for what they perceived to be disrespect or disobedience, was more widespread in the 1980s but gradually began to disappear in the 1990s and 2000s. , even before the widespread introduction of the body. cameras
TIRE NICHOLS: JIM JORDAN SAYS ‘NO AMOUNT OF TRAINING’ COULD CHANGE THE ‘EVIL’ SEEN ON VIDEO OF 5 MEMPHIS COPS
This photo provided by the Nichols family shows Tire Nichols. Nichols was just minutes from his home in Memphis, Tennessee, on January 7, 2023, when he was stopped by police and fatally beaten. Since then, five Memphis police officers have been charged with second-degree murder and other crimes.
(Courtesy of the Nichols family via AP)
Five former Memphis Police Department officers — Desmond Mills, Justin Smith, Emmitt Martin, Tadarrius Bean and Demetrius Haley — have been charged with second-degree murder, aggravated assault and other crimes in connection with Nichols’ death.
The five accused ex-police officers, who will be prosecuted in mid-February, are black.
Memphis police said the department relieved of duty a sixth officer, Preston Hemphill, who was involved in the initial traffic stop and the use of a Taser, but was not directly involved in the first and second scenes where Nichols was physically abused. and suffered serious injuries. As of Tuesday morning, Hemphill, who is white, was not facing any criminal or departmental charges.
Memphis Police Department officers Demetrius Haley, Tadarrius Bean, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills and Justin Smith were fired Jan. 18 for their roles in the arrest of the late Tire Nichols.
(Memphis Police Department)
According to the latest Memphis police update on Monday, a seventh officer was also relieved of duty following Nichols’ death, but that officer has yet to be identified.
Also Monday, the Memphis Fire Department fired three EMTs, two of whom are black and one white, after an investigation into Nichols’ death found they “failed to conduct a proper evaluation of the victim.” according to the fire chief. Gina sweat.
From left, Desmond Mills, Demetrius Haley, Justin Smith, Emmitt Martin and Tadarrius Bean. Each of the Memphis Police Department officers was fired on January 18 for his role in the arrest of the late Tire Nichols.
(Shelby County Jail)
The posted video shows officers repeatedly demanding Nichols “get on the ground,” despite the man pointing out that he is already sitting on the ground.
Nichols is placed back on the ground and is ordered to face down.
“You guys are really doing a lot right now,” says Nichols. “I’m just trying to go home.”
Officer Preston Hemphill has been relieved of his duty by the Memphis Police Department amid investigations into the death of Tire Nichols.
(Memphis Police)
The officers also demand that Nichols give them his hands, despite one policeman already grabbing Nichols’ left arm and another grabbing his right. When he fires the pepper spray for the first time, Nichols removes her hands to shield her eyes from him. Nichols later flees on foot, where he is later beaten and pepper-sprayed at least two more times.
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They also beat him with a baton at least three times and kick him in the face. Nichols calls his mother and the officers continue to yell orders despite his increasing limp. An officer eventually grabs his wrists and handcuffs Nichols without any apparent struggle, according to the Times analysis.
