Memphis Police Supervisor Retires with Benefits a Day Before Firing Hearing for Tyre Nichols’ Death

In Memphis, the retirement of a police supervisor, Lt. DeWayne Smith, who was present during the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols by officers, has caused outrage among some members of the Memphis City Council. Smith retired with benefits just a day before a hearing to fire him and revoke his law enforcement certification.

After serving for 25 years in the force, Smith’s retirement move has sparked criticism from the attorney of Nichols’ family, who has accused the police department of allowing Smith to evade accountability for his role in the incident. Seven other officers involved in the incident were fired, and five of them are facing second-degree murder charges.

The decertification documents against Lt. Smith reveal that he failed to provide medical attention or remove handcuffs from Nichols, who was heard repeatedly saying “I can’t breathe” as he was propped up against a squad car. In addition, Smith violated the police department’s policy by not wearing a body camera, further complicating the case.

While Smith is not facing any charges in connection with Nichols’ death, the retirement decision has further fueled calls for justice in the case. Some members of the public believe that Smith should not be allowed to retain his pension and other benefits.

The incident has also prompted the U.S. Department of Justice to review the policies and procedures of the Memphis Police Department. The hope is that such a review will help prevent similar cases of police brutality in the future and ensure accountability for officers who violate policies and regulations.

Overall, the incident involving the death of Tyre Nichols is a reminder of the importance of holding law enforcement officers accountable for their actions, especially when they result in the loss of life. The retirement of a police supervisor in connection with such an incident only serves to exacerbate tensions and fuel calls for justice.