Tennessee Governor Cuts Police Reforms Made After Tire Nichols’ Death

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee on Thursday approved a repeal of police traffic stop reforms enacted in Memphis after the January 2023 fatal beating of Tire Nichols by officers, despite pleas from Nichols’ parents to GOP lawmakers and the governor to offer them a probability to search out a compromise.

The Republican governor’s signature means the bill immediately invalidates certain ordinances passed in Memphis, including one which banned so-called pre-text traffic stops, for instance for a broken tail light or other minor offences. Lee echoed the arguments of Republican lawmakers who argued that Nichols’ death must end in accountability for officers who abuse their power, reasonably than latest restrictions on how authorities conduct traffic stops.

“I think the most important thing for us to remember is that we can provide law enforcement tools, but we have to maintain standards for the proper use of those tools if there is appropriate interaction with the public,” Lee told reporters on Friday earlier this month about his decision to sign the act. “From our information, this has not always been the case and their family will certainly confirm this.”

To date, Lee has never vetoed any laws since he took office nearly seven years ago, and has only occasionally allowed bills to enter effect without signing them to specific his concerns or disapproval. He rarely goes against the needs of his political party, and specifically he tries to push through the controversial universal school vouchers bill, which needs Republican support to pass.

Nichols’ death last January sparked outrage and calls for reform on the national and native levels. Video footage shows an almost three-minute series of punches, feet and a baton to Nichols’ face, head, back and front because the 29-year-old black man screamed at his mother a block from the house.

Nichols’ parents, mother RowVaughn Wells and stepfather Rodney Wells, were among the many supporters who gained support for the Memphis City Council to pass ordinance changes last yr.

Many Republican officials in Tennessee also joined the general public protest over Nichols’ death on the time. A month later, Lee even mentioned the Nichols family in his annual State of the Union address, stating that “their courage, combined with the compassion shown by the people of Memphis, is an image of hope.”

But most white legislatures have repeatedly rejected calls from many black leaders for police reform and oversight, as a substitute siding with supporters who don’t desire latest limits on police power.

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Lawmakers have reacted similarly in recent times after they disagreed with the best way Memphis and Nashville voting Democrats run their cities. They pre-empted local government from rolling back progressive policies, took more power over local boards, and maintained a tricky approach to crime in Memphis.

In this case, Nichols’ parents said their attempts to get the bill’s sponsors to commit to finding a middle ground failed, leaving each them and Memphis community supporters feeling marginalized and disheartened. Nichols’ parents said they felt cheated by Rep. John Gillespie, prompting them to skip one trip to Nashville after they thought he would delay passage of the bill. Instead, House Republicans passed it without the Nichols parents being present. Gillespie argued that it was a misunderstanding.

When they returned for a vote within the Senate the following day, Senator Brent Taylor rejected their requests to stop work on the bill and take a look at to search out a compromise. After the exchange, RowVaughn Wells broke down in tears and the pair left before the Senate passed the bill.

They also wrote a letter to Lee before he ultimately signed the bill.

“After the death of our son, you generously offered your support in the pursuit of justice,” they wrote, asking Lee to veto the bill. “This is the moment, Governor. We need your support now more than ever.”

Five officers, who were also black, were charged in state court with federal civil rights violations in reference to Nichols’ death, second-degree murder and other crimes. One pleaded guilty in federal court. The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating how Memphis Police Department officers use force and make arrests and whether the department within the majority-Black city engages in racially discriminatory policing.

Democratic lawmakers called the bill a slap within the face to Nichols’ grieving parents and Memphis’ majority-Black government. Some were also surprised that state Republicans tried to roll back changes made in response to Nichols’ death, whilst federal authorities proceed to broadly investigate policing and racing in Memphis.