December 22, 2024
In response to a federal investigation into civil rights violations, Memphis hires former judge Bernice Donald to oversee the police.
Following a federal investigation into the Memphis Police Department prompted by the death of Tyr Nichols, the city recently announced it will hire former federal judge Bernice Donald as an independent monitor as the MPD implements reforms outside of the consent decree.
By: THE WOMANthe city made it pretty simple At the beginning of the process, they have nothing to do with the Justice Department’s consent decree.
However, activists like Earl Fisher do not believe that Memphis can be trusted to implement reforms independently.
“We want a level of oversight and regulatory power that we don’t trust the city to implement, per se,” Fisher told the newspaper.
Memphis Mayor Paul Young, however, said in a statement that he trusted Donald as the city’s partner in their reform efforts.
“We are committed to promoting a transparent and effective community response and believe this task force will ensure that every voice is heard. Together, we will develop a comprehensive plan of action that will meet the needs of our residents,” Young said.
Donald’s hiring follows a letter the city of Memphis released earlier in December rejecting the consent decree, in part because of the cost to the same taxpayers, the city’s police department was found guilty of violating constitutional rights.
“After evaluating the impact of these consent decrees in other cities, we believe there are better ways to redefine policing that do not slow down the process or cost taxpayers millions of dollars,” the letter said.
According to the city, they will create a nine-person task force to coordinate community engagement and develop a response plan, subject to Judge Donald’s oversight.
The city will also provide a budget “that will enable Judge Donald to provide the resources and subject matter experts necessary to assist in the development of a response.”
According to City of Memphis Chief Legal Officer Tannera Gibson, “Judge Donald’s extensive experience and impartiality make him the ideal leader for this job. We believe that under his leadership the task force will effectively engage the community and develop a responsive action plan that truly reflects the needs of our city.” :
Agreed Tennessee Lookoutdespite Young’s admission that the Justice Department report was difficult to accept, he did not listen to the pleas of the Black Clergy Collaborativewhich prompted the city to enter into a consent decree.
“The report details the brutal and shocking treatment of black Memphians, people with disabilities and children,” the group said in a statement.
They continued. “We don’t have the confidence or trust to make amends for people involved in wrongdoing, those who failed to control them, or those who stood by and said nothing when wrongdoing happened. behavior.”
In the speech article, Fisher was critical of Mayor Young’s selection bowing out of the consent decree because of prices.
“Young has chosen to obstruct accountability by refusing to approve a consent decree that would serve as an essential mechanism to ensure that our police force operates within the bounds of justice and respect for civil rights,” Fisher wrote.
Fisher continued. “The bottom line is obviously clear. it is ultimately cheaper to invest in reform than to incur the costs of litigation arising from police violence take the $550 million lawsuit filed by the Tyree Nichols family, a stark reminder of the devastating financial and moral consequences of failing to address systemic problems Investing in reform is prudence. it directly counteracts the higher, avoidable costs of legal settlements arising from police misconduct.”
Fisher concluded his argument. “Ultimately, the moral and monetary imperatives of accountability in Memphis police are intertwined and undeniable. Young and the City cannot afford to ignore the overwhelming evidence of systemic failure.”
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