A seventh police officer has been relieved of duty following the Jan. 7 beating and death of Tyre Nichols, the Memphis Police Department confirmed Monday.
The department declined to divulge details about why the officer was relieved of duty and did not disclose the officer’s name. Officials also noted that there are still charges that are “impending,” and that the department expects “the next phase of personnel actions in the coming days.”
THREE MEMPHIS FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL TERMINATED FOLLOWING TYRE NICHOLS DEATH
Five officers who were charged with the violent assault against Nichols, as well as Officer Preston Hemphill, who tasered him, were fired from their jobs. Additionally, the Memphis Fire Department terminated three personnel who responded to the scene, bringing the total count of terminated or suspended officers and personnel up to at least 10.
Nichols was stopped for alleged reckless driving, but the Memphis police chief has since conceded there was “no proof” he had driven recklessly, though an investigation is pending. Video of the physical attacks on Nichols released last week showed police officers viciously pummeling Nichols, drawing widespread outrage.
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The Justice Department and FBI Memphis Field Office are examining whether Nichols’s civil rights were violated.