Memphis police relieve two more officers of duty in connection with Tyre Nichols death News
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Memphis police relieve two more officers of duty in connection with Tyre Nichols death

The Memphis Police Department Monday announced that two more officers were relieved of duty at the beginning of the month in connection to the death of Tyre Nichols. In its public statement, the department reported they relieved the sixth officer, Preston Hemphill, of duty due to his use of a taser during Nichols’ traffic stop. The department has not yet named the seventh officer relieved of duty.

The department’s statement emphasizes the lengthy internal investigations that have been ongoing since January 8, explaining that more officers may be charged in the future. The department expects to take more personnel action later this week.

This announcement comes days after a Tennessee grand jury indicted five of the former members of the Memphis Police Department on charges including second degree murder and aggravated assault. After the department released the police body camera footage Saturday, the Memphis Police Department announced it would immediately disband the special unit the former officers were members of, known as SCORPION.

Civil rights lawyer Ben Crump, the attorney for the Nichols family, continues to call on Congress to pass police reform to end the “institutionalized culture of police violence.” Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, shared his commitment to police reform, stating “Elected officials must continue taking steps to create a justice system that is truly equal for all.” However, House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) expressed doubt that legislation or training could have prevented the death of Nichols.

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