NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — As NewsChannel 5 keeps an eye on local protests, some groups and officials in Nashville have reacted to the video and death of Tyre Nichols by five former Memphis police officers and are calling for change.
The Black Nashville Assembly has a meeting Saturday at 1:00 p.m. where they plan to discuss what happened to Tyre and call for an end to police violence.
The group posted a list of demands on Twitter:
1. Pass the Data Transparency Ordinance
2. End the use of pretextual traffic stops
3. End the use of unmarked cars and plainclothes officers
4. Dissolve the SCORPION, OCU and MGU- end the use of task forces
5. Remove police from traffic enforcement entirely
The Nashville Community Oversight Board also released a statement that said the video showed the, "troubling systematic underpinnings of a police department's culture of toxicity and disregard for police policies and training." The board went on to say that the culture will continue until it is addressed.
Mayor John Cooper sent a statement ahead of the video release that said, "When individuals who swear to protect their fellow citizens abuse that privilege, they do not deserve to be called police officers and they dishonor the brave officers doing the right thing for their neighbors every day."
Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake responded before the video's release as well. He said he was repulsed by the beating of Nichols, credited the Memphis police chief and TBI for moving swiftly on the investigations and indictments of the officers involved, and said, "This week I asked the men and women of the MNPD to remember who WE are in this police department. Now, more than ever, the principles of respect, compassion, organizational excellence, community engagement and precision policing must guide us in all that we do every day.”
