Beating Death Of Tyre Nichols Condemned By Garwood Police Chief

GARWOOD, NJ — Garwood Police Chief James Wright reflected on the recent police beating death of Memphis man Tyre Nichols following the release of body cam footage last week.

Nichols, an aspiring photographer, was pulled over near his home on Jan. 7, but not charged with a crime. He died three days after being beaten by Memphis police officers, officials say. The five officers face second-degree murder charges.

Memphis authorities released more than an hour of footage Friday of the violent beating of Nichols in which officers held the Black motorist down and struck him repeatedly as he screamed for his mother, the Associated Press reported.

Read more: DA: 5 Memphis Cops 'All Responsible' For Tyre Nichols' Death

Wright said he stands with Elizabeth Chief Sacca and the members of the Union County Police Chiefs Association in condemning the actions of the former Memphis police officers.

Related: "Outrage" From Union County Police Chiefs After Tyre Nichols' Death

"I have always been proud to be a police officer and am still proud of the men and women of the Garwood Police Department because I believe in them," Wright wrote. "I believe they took the job for the right reasons. To protect, serve and keep people safe."

"Tyre Nichols was not afforded those securities. I have no patience for bad actors that cloak themselves in the same uniform as I wear. I hope for swift justice for the Nichols family and pray that they can someday find peace. But hopes and prayers ring hollow without action. We must do better and therefore we will do better," Wright said.

You can read the Chief's full statement here.