Sheriff's Office to use Nichols video in training; Commission makes other requests

Shelby County Commissioners on Monday made multiple reform requests of the Sheriff’s Office following days of protests over the death of Tyre Nichols, who was beaten, Tased and pepper sprayed by Memphis police officers.

The first of those requests is that the Sheriff’s Office include video showing Nichols’ beating by police officers as part of its annual de-escalation training.

"As we wait for justice for Tyre Nichols, these measures can be used to hopefully make sure this doesn’t happen again," said Commission Chairman Mickell Lowery.

However, some activists present at the meeting said the reform resolutions don't go far enough: All were requests.

Lowery said the items had the support of Sheriff Floyd Bonner, who he spoke with prior to drafting the resolution on video usage in training.

The commission also asked for the creation of additional opportunities for de-escalation training, that it involve training on interacting with people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities, and that the Sheriff's Office have "culturally competent therapists and other health professionals."

The resolution is not binding on the Sheriff’s Office, which is headed by an independent elected official, Bonner. However, the commission does have some sway, particularly because it approves the office’s budget and sets ordinances for the county.

In a written statement, a Sheriff's Office representative said the office will review any resolutions from the commission — and that it will use the video in its annual training.

The second request supports improved data collection and transparency on use of force. It recommends that law enforcement follow priorities published by the Council on Criminal Justice, a nonpartisan think tank.

The resolution references a study conducted in Alameda, California, that found new training paired with body camera analytics resulted in a 35% reduction in use of force.

“We remain committed to making investments in video technology throughout Memphis and Shelby County,” the resolution reads. “We do hereby request that, in their ongoing efforts to reduce use of force occurrences, the Shelby County Sheriff and other local law enforcement agencies consider pairing body camera use with analytics-assisted monitoring and with coaching techniques found by the Alameda study to improve professionalism and performance.”

The Sheriff's Office will need to study the body camera proposal "in greater detail," said John Morris, public information officer for the Sheriff's Office.

Activist Beth Hoffberg said the resolution is a step forward, but "not nearly enough." Instead, the commission must pass an ordinance and make the requirements of improved data collection and transparency law, she said.

Hoffberg also questioned why the names of two Shelby County Sheriff's deputies who were at the scene of Nichols' beating have not been released and why Bonner only saw the video of Nichols being beaten when the public saw it.

“How can the deputies be trained and held accountable if the sheriff isn’t actually aware of what they’re doing?” Hoffberg asked.

More:Protesters highlighting need for police reform shut down part of Poplar Ave. in Memphis

Since Nichols’ death on Jan. 10 and the subsequent release of video showing his brutal beating, activists have urged changes in law enforcement.

Five Memphis police officers have been fired and are facing second-degree murder and other charges in Nichols’ death. A sixth has also been fired, as have three Fire Department employees. The two Sheriff’s Office deputies are on leave in connection with the case, as is a seventh Memphis Police officer.

One of the demands by activists was that the city of Memphis disband its SCORPION Unit, a special unit in which the five officers worked. The city has already met that demand.

They have also called for an end to pretextual traffic stops, for all of the officers on the scene of Nichols’ death to be fired and charged, for an end to the use of unmarked vehicles and plainclothes officers and for more transparency from law enforcement.

More:Strickland announces federal review of MPD operations and use of force

While the Shelby County Commission cannot implement requests directed at a city entity, the resolutions passed Monday attempted to use their authority and influence regarding other law enforcement.

This may not be the end of the commission bringing legislation to address law enforcement in the wake of Nichols’ death.

Activist LJ Abraham asked on Monday that commissioners also consider an ordinance on data transparency and put an end to traffic stops entirely.

“I don’t feel safe, period, in dealing with anyone in law enforcement. … this is just a cycle that keeps being repeated and nothing is stopping it,” Abraham said. “I just want to know what it takes to move forward with these demands we have.”

Commissioner Mick Wright, who wrote the resolution on data collection, said he expects more reform efforts to come.

“This is not meant to be the only thing we do," Wright told activists. "It was just meant to be what is it that I can do at this given moment to make some kind of a difference. I think that’s what you all are trying to do as well."

Not only did commissioners request local reforms, but they also amended their 2023 federal legislative agenda to ask Congress to make changes nationwide.

“This is done in memory of Tyre Nichols,” said Commissioner Erika Sugarmon, who sponsored the changes to the legislative agenda. “Having said that, when we go to D.C. next week we plan to bring this before the Department of Justice and encourage them to adopt these policies nationwide.”

The commission asked Congress for:

• Federal mandates regarding traffic stops of people who are hard of hearing or deaf.

• That applicants be disqualified from law enforcement positions if they have been terminated for excessive use of force. This would include the revocation of the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification for those officers.

• A nationwide ban on chokeholds and strangleholds.

• The requirement that law enforcement agencies provide annual de-escalation training.

• That all law enforcement agencies require a verbal warning before an officer uses deadly force.

• That all agencies require “all other alternatives” be used before deadly force.

• That all agencies require officers to report each time they use or threaten to use force.

Katherine Burgess covers county government and religion. She can be reached at katherine.burgess@commercialappeal.com or followed on Twitter @kathsburgess.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Sheriff's Office to use Nichols video in training; commission makes requests