USA
Tire Nichols beaten to death in traffic control: police officers are banned from working
Tire Nichols sits leaning against a car on a street in Memphis surrounded by police officers. Several officers had previously beaten him brutally, and Nichols died three days later.
© City of Memphis via AP/DPA
In January, the African American Tire Nichols died in a traffic stop in Memphis – beaten to death by police officers. Five officers have since been charged in the killing of the 29-year-old. Four of them have now also been banned from working throughout Tennessee.
It was a case that caused a nationwide sensation: On January 7, the African American Tire Nichols was beaten by black police officers during a traffic stop in Memphis, Tennessee. Three days later, the 29-year-old succumbed to his injuries in a hospital. Several officers and EMTs were subsequently fired, and five officers were charged with aggravated assault and second-degree murder — the equivalent of a middle ground between murder and manslaughter in Tennessee. You have pleaded not guilty.
An official body has now decided to revoke their work permits. As reported by the Associated Press news agency, among others, they are no longer allowed to work as law enforcement officers throughout the state. The former officers have 30 days to appeal. None of the fired officers or their attorneys were reported to be present at Thursday’s Peace Officer Standards & Training Commission (POST) hearing or Friday’s vote. One of the accused officers wrote a letter defending his behavior, saying Nichols was “violent” and “didn’t comply.”
Fall of Tire Nichols sparked protests
The case of the killed Nichols triggered widespread protests at the time and reignited the debate about police violence in the United States. The police officers now accused were part of a special unit that was only set up in 2021 to better respond to organized crime and drug-related crimes. It was disbanded after the brutal incident. In the USA, the police have long been criticized for being accused of excessive and sometimes brutal use of force, especially during traffic stops. Often the victims are black. In the past, such operations have repeatedly triggered violent protests. The death of the African American George Floyd in May 2020 led to nationwide demonstrations and sometimes violent riots.
Watch the video: At a memorial service in Memphis for black man Tire Nichols and other black victims of police violence, those present called for reform of policing in the country – including Vice President Kamala Harris.
Sources: Associated PressDPA