Justice Department investigating Memphis policing methods, months after Tyre Nichols’ death

By ADRIAN SAINZ and JONATHAN MATTISE
Associated Press

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating how Memphis Police Department officers use force and conduct arrests, nearly seven months after the violent beating of Tyre Nichols by five officers after a traffic stop. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Civil Rights Division made the announcement Thursday in Memphis. Clarke says the probe will look into the city and its police department. She mentioned Nichols’ death, but said the investigation is not based on a single event, or a single unit with the police agency. The five officers have pleaded not guilty to criminal charges including second-degree murder in the January beating of Nichols.