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Ontario’s top cops decry black man’s ‘horrific’ death at the hands of Memphis police

Video released Friday shows Tyre Nichols, 29, being beaten, kicked, and punched by officers while he cries out for his mother

In this photo provided by WREG, Tyre Nichols' stepfather Rodney Wells, center, stands next to a photo of Nichols in the hospital after his arrest, during a protest in Memphis, Tenn., Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023.
In this photo provided by WREG, Tyre Nichols' stepfather Rodney Wells, center, stands next to a photo of Nichols in the hospital after his arrest, during a protest in Memphis, Tenn., Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023. Photo by Jordan James /WREG via AP

Chiefs of Police in Ontario have taken to social media to condemn the killing of a black man in Memphis allegedly by five police officers after a traffic stop.

Tyre Nichols, 29, a black driver was stopped by police in Memphis, Tennessee, earlier this month, can be seen in a three-minute video released Friday being beaten, kicked, and punched by officers while he cries out for his mother.

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He was also squirted with pepper spray and shot with a stun gun.

Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw tweeted his disgust Friday night.

“I am profoundly saddened by the murder of Tyre Nichols in Memphis, Tennessee. On behalf of the Toronto Police Service, I condemn the violent actions of the officers involved. We offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Tyre Nichols and the many communities impacted by his death,” Demkiw wrote.

“We know the actions of the involved officers will have long-standing impacts on our communities and will disproportionally impact some members of our black community,” he added.

The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police released a statement calling the death of Nichols “horrific and deeply disturbing.”

“The duties of (police) must always be performed in a transparent and professional manner and uphold the high standards of the police profession,” the OACP said. “Every official understands that they are responsible for their actions.”

Hamilton Police Chief Frank Bergen tweeted: “This incident is deeply upsetting. As a policing agency the actions of these officers are appalling and reprehensible.”

The five black police officers involved have been charged with second-degree murder, assault, kidnapping, official misconduct and oppression in the Jan. 10 death of Nichols.

Police had initially claimed they pulled Nichols over for reckless driving, but Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn Davis has since said that can’t be proven.

Davis says she was “outraged” after seeing video of the violent arrest of Nichols.

(From L to R) Memphis Police officers Demetrius Haley, Desmond Mills Jr, Emmitt Martin III, Justin Smith and Tadarrius Bean have been fired and face second-degree murder and other charges for the beating death of Tyre Nichols, 29.
(From L to R) Memphis Police officers Demetrius Haley, Desmond Mills Jr, Emmitt Martin III, Justin Smith and Tadarrius Bean have been fired and face second-degree murder and other charges for the beating death of Tyre Nichols, 29. Photo by Memphis Police Department /Reuters

Nichols, a father of four and a FedEx employee, was about 75 metres from his home at the time.

“Damn, I didn’t do anything … I am just trying to go home,” Nichols said in the video.