Congressman Cohen Welcomes Department of Justice “Pattern and Practice” Review of the Memphis Police Department
Inquiry follows Tyre Nichols assault by police in January
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), who represents Memphis, today welcomed today’s announcement that the Department of Justice (DOJ) will investigate if the Memphis Police Department has a “pattern and practice” of discrimination in policing.
The Memphis Police Department has been working with DOJ’s Collaborative Reform Initiative Technical Assistance Center, a program of the COPS office, to review its use of force, de-escalation and specialized units polices since March. That review was requested by Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland and Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn J. Davis.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
“Effective policing requires a strong and collaborative relationship between law enforcement and the people. And that type of relationship requires trust, especially during the high crime rate the police are grappling with now.
“The horrific murder of Tyre Nichols, and the absence of any police investigation concerning the reported rape of Alicia Franklin because police saw no urgency in testing the rape kit which, if expedited, would have prevented the kidnapping and murder of Eliza Fletcher, indicate a problem that needs to be examined by the federal government. Other police shootings will surely cause a review of the policies of the department regarding the use of deadly force and police firearms policies.
“I welcome today’s announcement because transparency and accountability are essential to improving relations between the Memphis community and the police. A ‘pattern and practice’ review will identify areas that must be addressed and help institute reforms to ensure that Memphians are being treated fairly and constitutionally by the law enforcement agency pledged to protect them.”
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