DOJ Orders Policing Reviews after Tyre Nichols’ Death
The beating death of Tyre Nichols at the alleged hands of members of a special unit of the Memphis, Tennessee, Police Department in January 2023 sparked concerns about the use of specialized law enforcement units as well as police training procedures.
Now, the Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) will undertake two reviews in the aftermath of the Nichols incident.
First, the COPS office will review the policies and practices of the Memphis Police Department. The review comes at the request of Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland and Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn J. Davis and will be conducted through the COPS Office’s Collaborative Reform Initiative Technical Assistance Center (CRI-TAC).
CRI-TAC officials will study policies, practices, training, data, and processes related to the use of force, de-escalation techniques and specialized units. A public report will be issued once the review is complete.
“Providing technical assistance to law enforcement agencies so they can continue to improve their practices, while they also develop and maintain healthy relationships with the community, is at the heart of what we do at the COPS Office,” stated COPS Office Director Hugh T. Clements Jr.
CRI-TAC has provided technical assistance to over 800 law enforcement engagements since 2017. It uses a wide array of technical assistance services provided a “by the field, for the field” approach.
In addition, the COPS office will undertake a review of the use of specialized law enforcement units nationwide. Upon completion of the review, the COPS office will produce a guide for police chiefs and mayors to help them assess whether specialized units are appropriate. The guide will also help with management and oversight of units.
“The COPS Office guide on specialized units will be a critical resource for law enforcement, mayors and community members committed to effective community policing that respects the dignity of community members and keeps people safe,” said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta.
The COPS Office was established in 1994 and has disbursed more than $20 billion to advance community policing, including awarding grants to more than 13,000 state, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies.
COPS also provides resources to “reduce crime and build trust between law enforcement and communities served.”