Evanston Police Chief Schenita Stewart is calling for change in a statement released Friday as cities across the nation brace for reaction to the planned release of video footage of the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols by five Memphis police officers this month.
“These actions have upset our social fabric and undermined the confidence in and legitimacy of our police agencies and local governments,” Stewart said. “This has to change.”
On Jan. 10, Nichols was beaten by five Memphis police officers during a traffic stop. He died three days later and all officers involved have since been fired and charged with murder.
Body camera footage of the beating is set to be released at 6 p.m. today and police departments across the country are preparing.
Stewart said in the news release that highly publicized police encounters have gained attention across the nation in recent years and that Nichols’ case is yet another example of “overly aggressive law enforcement.”
“A crisis of confidence is increasing in communities over police use of force, lack of transparency, and what is seen as overly aggressive law enforcement strategies,” she said. “As chief of the Evanston Police Department, I would like to reiterate our department’s continued commitment to building trust, confidence and partnership with our community, and to protecting the rights of all individuals as we carry out our mission of ensuring public safety.”
