TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Paul Burch on Jul 27, 2023

The U.S. Department of Justice announced today it is opening a civil rights investigation into the City of Memphis and the Memphis Police Department to determine whether there are systemic violations of the Constitution or federal law, reports the Commercial Appeal. The investigation will focus on MPD’s use of force and stops, searches and arrests and whether it engages in discriminatory policing. The announcement was made by Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division and attorney Kevin G. Ritz for the Western District of Tennessee. The investigation will include riding with city police officers and holding community meetings. The announcement comes six months after Memphis police officers beat 29-year-old Tyre Nichols, who died from his injuries three days later. Read Ritz's statement.