Congressman Ivey's Statement on Tyre Nichols

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Glenn Ivey, a member of the House Committee on the Judiciary, issued the following statement in response to the Memphis Police Department’s footage being released:

“Tyre Nichols should still be alive today. Instead, Memphis police officers brutally, violently, and viciously beat him to death. The police officers had no justification for their cruelty, gave no mercy, and denied Tyre’s humanity as he cried out for his mother during his last moments of consciousness. Tyre’s death is a grave injustice and evokes feelings of horror, shock, pain, and fear that are all too familiar to so many Americans.

“It is not enough to hold the officers involved accountable. In the past year, police killings have reached a record high. Rogue, militant policing continues to run rampant across our country, threatening public safety and the lives of millions of Americans.

“Our antiquated criminal justice system has long allowed law enforcement to utilize excessive force and prejudicial policing practices while avoiding accountability. We need extensive reform now with de-escalation training, selective bias training, and better policing. I am urging my colleagues in Congress to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. 

“Additionally, we must invest in our communities through unarmed first responder agencies, mental health and crisis support treatment options, diversion programs, community intervention groups, and re-entry programs. We can and must do better to avoid tragedies and improve public safety. I will never stop working to support and enact changes that will make our country safer for all Americans.”