State leaders look to change police training statewide

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - State Representative Joe Towns Jr. held a press conference on the release of the brutal beating video of Tyre Nichols.

In the conference, Towns talked about looking at some legislation and determining a way to address the training state-wide.

“We need to figure out what kind of training is done what kind of training needs to be done and if there needs to be some tweaking,” said Towns.

Among the State Democratic Lawmakers joining Towns were Democratic Caucus Chair John Ray Clemmons and Memphis Rep. G. A. Hardaway.

Clemmon expressed his disappointment in the need to create a legation such as this.

“And we will be introducing legislation. And first let me say it’s truly unfortunate that legislation is required, that we would need to legislate humanity... in 2023,” said Clemmons.

With legislation on the minds of state leaders who say the death of Tyre Nichols should not have happened.

“We have seen in the past that police officers or law enforcement be terminated for calls from one department in one city, only to go to another city. That needs to stop,” said Clemmons.

The desire for change comes less than 24 hours after the world got a look at the traffic stop involving Memphis police and Tyre Nichols that resulted in Nichols death.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re a white cop or a black cop, we want the same thing when it comes to fair treatment in this community. Everybody has to be treated properly. We want justice for this family,” said Towns.

State leaders encouraged protests like we those demonstrated Friday night adding it’s another way to ensure a death like Tyre Nichols isn’t repeated.

“The thing about rights is that you cannot figure that once you achieve those rights and freedom around the world that they’re going to be maintained because there comes somebody with these old crazy ideas that try to take them away. So, you have to stand up and protest for them,” said Towns.

Memphis city officials released the body cam video documenting how five Memphis Police officers beat, tased and pepper sprayed Nichols earlier this month.

He was pulled over for reckless driving and died three days later from his injuries, said MPD.

All five officers were fired, then later arrested and charged with second-degree murder.

“As a long-term Memphian and one of the senior members of our legislative delegation, we want to express our continued support for the family of Mr. Nichols. I’d also like to commend how quickly the police department moved to fire the officers and how fast the District Attorney’s office moved to indict them. They have worked with unparalleled speed to get justice for Tyre Nichols and his family,” said Towns

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