Kingsport Times-News. April 3, 2024.
Editorial: Proposed law is an overreaction to Memphis case
What may well be the worst case of police brutality on record was the Jan. 7, 2023, fatal beating of Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man pulled over for no apparent reason by officers in three Memphis police cruisers.
The Memphis police chief said video from public and police body cameras found no evidence of probable cause for the traffic stop and subsequent horrible beating by five Black cops, who face charges of second-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault, official misconduct and official oppression.
One officer entered a guilty plea last November to some charges so as to cooperate with prosecutors.
The public was outraged after police body camera footage was released.
The police chief said, “This is not just a professional failing. This is a failing of basic humanity toward another individual. In my 36 years, I would have to say I don’t think I’ve ever been more horrified and disgusted” about the video, and that it was “still very unclear” as to why the officers stopped Nichols.
FBI Director Christopher Wray said he was appalled by the video, and Patrick Yoes, the national president of the Fraternal Order of Police, stated, “The event as described to us does not constitute legitimate police work or a traffic stop gone wrong. This is a criminal assault under the pretext of law.”
Reforms were demanded, and in the wake of Nichols’ death, the Memphis City Council passed several ordinances aimed at reforming its police department including eliminating “pretextual” traffic stops — as when an officer pulls someone over for a minor violation like a broken taillight or expired tags.
But those regulations, which intend to ensure vehicles are kept safe for passengers and the motor public, had nothing to do with this case.
Last month, the Tennessee General Assembly passed and Gov. Bill Lee signed a bill to overrule Memphis, preventing all communities in the state from backing away from normal policing.
“If an officer sees a criminal act occurring when they’re stopping someone for a minor violation, that is simply good law enforcement practice,” said House Majority Leader William Lamberth.
The discussion over the bill didn’t go without fireworks, as Democrats slammed the bill as an egregious takeover of local control and a slap in the face to Nichols’ family.
“It is degrading and demeaning to the family, and I’m very frustrated,” said Rep. Justin Pearson (D-Memphis).
While Democrats control local government in Memphis and Nashville, Republicans control the state legislature.
Nationwide, police “reform” up to and including elimination of entire police departments is supported by many Democrats and usually opposed by Republicans, and state lawmakers and the governor are to be commended in ensuring Tennessee doesn’t go down the path of dismantling law enforcement.
Laws should not be passed as an apology to the family of a victim of police brutality.
Governor Lee echoed arguments from Republican lawmakers who said Nichols’ death needed to result in accountability for officers who abuse power, not new limits on how authorities conduct traffic stops.
“I think what’s most important for us to remember is that we can give law enforcement tools, but we’ve got to hold law enforcement to a standard of using those tools appropriately, where there’s an appropriate interaction with the public,” Lee said.
We couldn’t agree more.
END