Columbus top cop speaks out on video of Tyre Nichols beating death by Memphis Police

Columbus Police Chief Freddie Blackmon joined law enforcement agencies around the region and called the video of the beating of Tyre Nichols “deeply disturbing.”

In a statement released Monday, he said that incidents like this beating “undermine” the trust of the community in law enforcement.

Blackmon said in the release that CPD will, “...remain committed to maintaining our partnership with the community in a manner that continues to promote confidence and trust in the Columbus Police Department.”

“The details and video of the beating death of Tyre Nichols are deeply disturbing. The actions of the 5 former Memphis Police Officers are not consistent with any professional law enforcement training, procedures, or code of ethics. In fact, incidents like this severely undermine the trust law enforcement officers work hard to build each day with the communities we serve.

“The men and women of the Columbus Police Department will remain committed to maintaining our partnership with the community in a manner that continues to promote confidence and trust in the Columbus Police Department,” the statement continued.

“Our goal is to always serve with honor, professionalism and accountability backed by adequate training,” Blackmon’s statement added. “As Chief of Police for the Columbus Police Department, I am proud of our men and women who uphold their oath daily.”

Blackmon’s statement follows multiple similar criticisms of the actions of those Memphis officers. On Monday, for instance, the Alabama Sheriff’s Association issued its own unanimous condemnation of the action.

The Alabama Sheriff’s Association, which represents all 67 sheriffs from across the state, said in a press release Monday that they “are united in our unyielding stand against the actions and images presented in the recently released video in Memphis, Tennessee.”

Other sheriffs who signed off on the letter who represent counties close to the Columbus area include:

Jay Jones: Lee County. Jeff Nelson: Chambers County Heath Taylor: Russell County Raymond ‘Buck’ Rodgers: Bullock County Tyrone Smith: Barbour County

This story was originally published January 31, 2023 at 11:02 AM.