Memphis’ mayor is pushing back against the need for a Justice Department deal to enact reforms in light of the scathing findings of an investigation into the Memphis Police Department.
Mayor Paul Young said at a news conference Thursday that Memphis has already made hundreds of positive changes since the January 2023 beating death of Tyre Nichols.
During a news conference minutes earlier, an assistant U.S. attorney warned that the Justice Department could sue to force reforms at the police department if the city doesn’t cooperate.
The 17-month federal investigation launched after Nichols’ death found that Memphis officers routinely use unwarranted force and disproportionately target Black people.