Justice Department to review Memphis police after killing

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Justice Department will participate in a review of the Memphis Police Department after the death of Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man fatally beaten by officers in the Tennessee city last month, according to city officials.

The review was disclosed in a bulletin by Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland. The bulletin said the Justice Department as well as the International Association of Chiefs of Police would take part in an “independent, external review” requested by the city to assess the Memphis Police Department’s special units and use-of-force policies.

Memphis police on Friday fired a sixth officer involved in the death of Nichols. Five other officers, all Black, were previously fired and charged with seconddegree murder. The sixth officer to be fired is white.

Nichols repeatedly cried, “Mom! Mom!” as the five Memphis police officers charged with the Black motorist’s murder pummelled him with kicks, punches and baton blows after a Jan. 7 traffic stop, video released by the city showed.