The Memphis Police Department (MPD) engaged in unconstitutional practices, including excessive force and unlawful targeting of Black residents, according to a damning 17-month Justice Department investigation revealed Wednesday.
The DOJ found MPD consistently violated federal law through unlawful stops, searches, and arrests, while discriminating against Black people and mishandling cases involving individuals with behavioral health disabilities, WREG reported. Investigators also raised concerns about MPD's treatment of children and systemic deficiencies in training, supervision, and accountability.
"This process and these findings uncovered that our city has a lot of work to do," said Acting U.S. Attorney Reagan Fondren for the Western District of Tennessee. "Memphians are rightly concerned with gun violence and violent crime. They are also rightly concerned about the collective approach that we must take to tackle these issues."
The investigation, launched after the fatal 2023 beating of Tyre Nichols by Memphis officers, highlighted broader issues of systemic abuse. Nichols' death, captured on video, led to federal and state charges against the officers involved and a $550 million lawsuit against the city.
Despite the DOJ's findings, Memphis city officials stated they would not enter a consent decree, citing concerns over cost and effectiveness. "After evaluating the effects of these consent decrees in other cities, we believe there are better ways to reimagine policing that do not slow the process or cost the taxpayers millions of dollars," the city announced in a letter.
The DOJ and Memphis officials are set to hold press conferences Thursday morning to discuss the investigation and its implications.
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