Six police officers have been fired for their roles in the incident, including five who have been charged criminally with second-degree murder, Ms. Sink told CNN.
The police officers will receive an internal “statement of charges,” a document notifying them of policy violations, which is then followed by a hearing and a written decision, Sink said, while pointing out the final round of the statement of charges is coming this week so that the agency can hold administrative hearings next week.
A month ago, Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man, was beaten by Memphis police officers with the specialized SCORPION unit following a traffic stop not far from his family´s house. He was taken to the hospital afterward and passed away three days later.
The city released body-camera and surveillance footage in late January that showed officers repeatedly punching, kicking and using a baton on Nichols while his hands were restrained. They then left him without medical care for more than 20 minutes, the video shows.
Following the release of footage, a great number of people took to the streets to protest police brutality and call for justice.
Five officers involved in the beating, all of whom are Black, were fired and indicted on charges of second-degree murder. In addition, a sixth officer was fired, and a seventh was put on leave, police said. Further, the Fire Department fired two EMTs and a lieutenant for failing to render emergency care.
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