Memphis police killing: Decisive response points to accountability

Tonight, the Memphis Police Department plans to release footage of a police encounter that resulted in the death of a young Black man, Tyre Nichols. The city is bracing for protests and outrage. Memphis’ own police chief says the incident shows “a failing of basic humanity toward another individual.”

But the response by officials also shows a level of accountability that has been rare in such cases. After past allegations of police brutality, departments or local prosecutors have often dithered in response, provoking outrage from the community when more details are released. In Memphis, the officers involved have already all been fired and charged with second-degree murder – only three weeks after the incident.

Almost three years after the murder of George Floyd, Memphis suggests that reforms adopted by many police departments might be working – and affirming public confidence. “It’s striking how quickly they moved and how serious their actions were, both police chief and prosecution,” says Sam Walker, an expert on policing.

Yet Memphis also points to the need for after-the-fact accountability to drive change. At a Thursday press conference, the director of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations said, “Simply put, this shouldn’t have happened.”  

Just three weeks ago, Tyre Nichols’ death appeared to match a pattern of police brutality: a young Black man beaten by officers during a traffic stop. But the response by authorities in Memphis, Tennessee, is where that pattern ended. 

After past allegations of officer brutality, police departments or local prosecutors have often dithered in response, provoking outrage from the community when more details are released. In Memphis, the officers involved have already all been fired and charged.

The body camera footage allowed the Memphis Police Department and the district attorney to hasten their investigations. Yesterday, a grand jury returned indictments – including second-degree murder, kidnapping, and assault – against the five officers, all of whom are Black. Tonight, after 6 p.m. Eastern time, footage of the incident will be publicly released.

In a recorded statement, Memphis Police Department Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis promised “absolute accountability for those responsible for Tyre’s death.”

“This is a failing of basic humanity toward another individual,” she said.