Two Tennessee law enforcement officers were suspended for five days without pay after an investigation revealed they failed to report they were on the scene the night police brutally beat Tyre Nichols.
Memphis police officers pulled Nichols over in Memphis’ Hickory Hill neighborhood the night of Jan. 7. He was repeatedly punched, tased and kicked by police during the traffic stop and required hospitalization. He died three days.
Shelby County deputies Jeremy Watkins and Johntavious Bowers arrived after the violence, but they both failed to report their response to supervisors, according to investigative reports obtained by WHBQ. They also neglected to turn on their body cameras and did not alert dispatch when leaving the scene.
“Because I had concerns about two deputies who appeared on the scene following the physical confrontation between police and Tyre Nichols, I ordered this internal investigation,” Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner Jr. said in the release.
“Our investigation was thorough and complete. I am satisfied that the discipline given to these deputies is appropriate and just. We must continue to maintain the highest standards of excellence for the citizens of Shelby County through service, integrity, and accountability.”
The deputies were initially placed on leave last month after Memphis officials released video of the deadly confrontation. According to records released by the sheriff’s office, both men waived their rights to pre-disciplinary hearings and agreed to the suspensions.
Five Memphis Police Department officers have been fired and criminally charged with second-degree murder for their involvement in the arrest and beatings.
