DOJ Opens Investigation of Memphis PD

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Facts

  • On Thursday, the US Justice Department (DOJ) announced it’s opening a civil rights investigation into the Memphis Police Department (MPD) following the death of Tyre Nichols, a Black man who died in the hospital after a January traffic stop.1
  • Assistant AG Kristen Clarke of the Civil Rights Division said the DOJ would examine the MPD’s “pattern or practice” of force and stops, searches, and arrests to determine if it discriminates against Black people.2
  • She also said “a single incident or event” isn’t solely responsible for the investigation, citing indications that officers use force punitively when faced with “insolent” behavior while allegedly disproportionately stopping Black people at traffic stops in the majority-Black city.3
  • The investigation will look into MPD as a whole, scrutinizing three areas: its alleged use of excessive force, its use of stop and search, and potential discrimination against Black residents. The DOJ will also interview officers, ride along with them, and hold community meetings.4
  • Video of Nichols' death added fuel to the debate over policing in America, but unlike other controversial police interactions with Black suspects, all five officers in this case are also Black.5
  • The investigation could take as long as a year and follows the Biden administration’s recent scrutiny of police departments in other cities, including Chicago, Minneapolis, Louisville, Seattle, and Phoenix.6

Sources: 1CNN, 2Associated Press, 3Al Jazeera, 4The Commercial Appeal, 5Reuters, and 6USA Today.

Narratives

  • Left narrative, as provided by Washington Post. It’s taken too long for the DOJ to investigate this matter. There’s already data showing that Black residents are disproportionately targeted at traffic stops and are treated with far more force than their White counterparts in Memphis. Although most of the MPD is Black, there's undoubtedly institutional racism ingrained into policing, and the MPD must be held accountable.
  • Right narrative, as provided by VDARE. Has America become so woke that even the killing of a Black man by five Black officers is considered racism? This is a manipulation of the facts of Nichols’ death by left-wingers and their media allies who — ironically — want to make everything about race. Judging this case on its facts instead of using it to create division would be more effective.