The Justice Department will participate in an audit of the Memphis Police Department following the death of Tyree Nichols, a 29-year-old African-American man who was fatally beaten by officers last month.
Information about the check was published in Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland’s newsletter. The bulletin says the Justice Department, along with the International Association of Chiefs of Police, will participate in an “independent external review” commissioned by Memphis to assess the work of special forces and the use of force policy in the service. city ​​police.
Recall that on Friday the Memphis police fired the sixth officer involved in the death of Nichols. Five other officers were fired earlier and charged with second-degree murder.
Five Memphis police officers accused of killing Nichols kicked, punched and beat him with batons, after which he was hospitalized and died three days later of his injuries.
According to city officials, the Office of Public Relations for Police Services under the Department of Justice will participate in the audit.
Nichols’ mother, Rowan Wells, and stepfather, Rodney Wells, were invited to attend President Joe Biden’s speech Tuesday in Washington.
Nichols’ funeral, held at a church in Memphis on Wednesday, included Vice President Kamala Harris and relatives of African Americans who died as a result of police use of force in US cities. .
