All DC police personnel activated ahead of possible demonstrations: Report
Misty Severi
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The Metropolitan Police Department called up all of its personnel Thursday in preparation for First Amendment activities after five former Memphis, Tennessee, police officers were charged with second-degree murder.
Body camera footage of the fatal interaction between the officers and 29-year-old Tyre Nichols is expected to be released Friday and could lead to protests against law enforcement. The officers allegedly used excessive force to take Nichols into custody.
FIVE MEMPHIS OFFICERS CHARGED IN DEATH OF TYRE NICHOLS
“The Metropolitan Police Department has fully activated all sworn personnel in preparation for possible First Amendment activities in the District of Columbia,” the department said in a statement to CBS News. “The MPD respects everyone’s First Amendment right to demonstrate and peacefully protest.”
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The department added that it would not tolerate any unlawful behavior and that punishments would be given to those who do break the law. It also reassured the public that the footage does not represent the values law enforcement officers are “sworn to uphold.”
The relationship between law enforcement officers and the public has been particularly strained since the death of George Floyd in the summer of 2020. He was killed after a Minneapolis officer knelt on his neck, with his death spurring nationwide protests.
Nichols’s family, who were shown the video on Monday, said it showed the officers severely beating Nichols for three minutes. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump said Nichols was stunned, pepper-sprayed, and restrained, and an attorney for the family, Antonio Romanucci, said Nichols was kicked.
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Former officers Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr., and Justin Smith have been charged with second-degree murder, two counts of official misconduct, one count of official oppression, aggravated assault — act in concert, and two counts of aggravated kidnapping.
All five surrendered to police Thursday.