The suspension of a sixth Memphis police officer follows the publication of body camera footage depicting the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols earlier this month.
Monday was the first day of Preston Hemphill’s administrative leave, according to a department official.
“Officer Hemphill’s duties are terminated. This investigation is still ongoing. When new information becomes available, we will update our social media channels. Hemphill was hired in 2018, according to a representative for the agency.
Officers Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmett Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr., and Justin Smith were terminated on January 20 after an investigation revealed that they had violated the department’s use-of-force policies.
A few days later, they were all charged with murder, placed into the Shelby County jail, and then released on bail.
»Sixth police officer suspended following Tyre Nichols’ fatal assault«