According to media reports, the police supervisor who responded to the scene of Tire Nichols’ arrest resigned and retired the day before his dismissal hearing.
Lieutenant Dwayne Smith, who served 25 years with the Memphis Police Department, was facing disciplinary action for dereliction of duty, unauthorized public statements, and compliance with rules when he submitted his resignation from the Memphis Police Department on March 1. action news 5 report. His disciplinary hearing he was scheduled for March 2nd.
During the Jan. 7 arrest that ultimately led to Nichols’ death, Smith was unable to seek medical care or remove the handcuffs of the 29-year-old, despite hearing him say, “I can’t breathe.” rice field. NBC News.
Nichols was brutally beaten by several Memphis police officers during a traffic stop in early January and died of his injuries three days later. We were unable to obtain a report on the exercise.
Smith also told Nichols’ family that he was driving under the influence, despite there being no evidence to support such a conclusion, and that he did not wear a body camera during his arrest in violation of police policy. NBC News reported that
“It’s very disturbing [the Memphis Police Department] I accepted the retirement of this senior officer! Ben Crump, a civil rights attorney representing the Nichols family, said in a tweet:
“Memphis police and officials should do everything in their power to hold Lieutenant Smith accountable and not let his cowardly resignation avert the consequences of his actions!” he added. .
Seven police officers were fired in Nichols’ death, including five charged with second-degree murder. Three members of the Memphis Fire Department were also fired for failing to provide medical care to Nichols. it was done.
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