CNN
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The Memphis Police Department has fired five police officers Death of Dyer NicholasHe died in hospital after being arrested by police earlier this month, according to a post from the department A verified Twitter account.
“The heinous nature of this incident is no reflection on the good work that our officers do with integrity every day,” Police Chief Sherlyn “CJ” Davis said in a statement.
Investigators working on an internal review of the arrest found the officers breached the duty to exercise authority, the duty to intervene and the duty to render aid.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is investigating whether the officers’ actions were criminal in nature. The Justice Department and the FBI have launched a civil rights investigation.
“Due to the ongoing criminal investigation, the Memphis Police Association will not comment on the firing of officers in the Dyer Nichols case,” the union representing the officers said. “The citizens of Memphis, and most importantly, Mr. Nichols’ family deserve a full account of the events leading up to his death and what may have contributed to it.”
On January 8, police announced that officers had pulled over a motorist for careless driving the previous day. “When officers approached the driver of the vehicle, a confrontation ensued and the suspect fled the scene on foot,” officials said in a statement. Posted on social media.
According to police, officers pursued the suspect and again attempted to take him into custody, and another confrontation ensued before the suspect was taken into custody.
“Later, the suspect complained of shortness of breath, at which time an ambulance was called to the scene. The suspect was taken to St. Francis Hospital in critical condition,” officials said.
The man, identified as Nichols, died a few days later. According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
Details of Nicholas’ injuries or cause of death have not been released. CNN has reached out to the Shelby County Coroner.
On Tuesday, city officials said video footage from the officers’ body-worn cameras would be released publicly after the police department’s internal investigation is complete and families are given a chance to review the footage. Attorney Ben Crump said Friday that the family will view the footage Monday, and that he and the family will hold a news conference that afternoon.
