Memphis City Council Passes Historic Police Reforms to Ensure Accountability and Transparency

Memphis City Council Passes Major Police Reforms

The Memphis City Council passed several major police reform ordinances Wednesday, two months after the death of Tyre Nichols sparked national outrage. The new laws will ban Memphis police from conducting routine traffic stops with unmarked vehicles and plainclothes officers, though the department will be able to use unmarked cars under “exigent circumstances” when someone is driving.

In addition to the arrest footage, the city will also begin releasing information regarding the charges and disciplinary action taken against Memphis police and fire personnel as a result of the investigation, according to Jennifer Sink, Memphis chief legal officer. On the night of Jan. 7, Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man, died after a traffic stop, and five Memphis police officers have been charged with second-degree murder in his death. A seventh police officer has also been fired due to their involvement in the arrest.

In total, 13 officers had been facing some form of discipline related to Nichols’ arrest, Sink said. The new ordinances are intended to ensure that similar incidents do not occur in the future.

The ordinances were passed unanimously by the City Council, and Mayor Jim Strickland praised the decision, saying that the city is “committed to making sure that our police department is held to the highest standards of accountability and transparency.” He added that the city will continue to work with the community to ensure that “everyone is treated with respect and dignity.”

The new ordinances are a major step forward in the city’s efforts to reform its police department and ensure that similar incidents do not occur in the future. The city is also working to create a civilian review board to oversee the police department and ensure that the new laws are enforced.