Tyre Nichols' Death Was 'Appalling, Inhumane': Cranford Police Chief

CRANFORD, NJ — Cranford Police Chief Ryan Greco 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

"As you may have already witnessed, the events that have unfolded at the hands of law enforcement in Memphis are appalling, disgusting, and quite frankly inhumane," Greco wrote. "... As someone who wanted to witness the body worn camera footage for myself prior to passing any judgment, I am now equipped and informed enough to respond as a resident, husband, father, and as your Chief of Police."

"Human life is so very precious, and the life of Tyre Nichols was ripped away from his family and friends far too soon. The defendants in the case will be tried and prosecuted accordingly within all the legal boundaries of the law," Greco said.

Greco said that he is "tired of a profession" that has given him so much but consistently disappoints him.

"That said, I will not allow my disappointment to impede our organization and our membership among the greater community of law enforcement from improving," he said. :Law Enforcement truly is one of the noblest of professions, but rightfully so, it is one of the most scrutinized fields, especially after the tragic events that have happened and continue to occur throughout the nation. I cannot understand how these horrific events continue to happen, but I can assure you that I will not allow my disappointment to diminish my hope that a better future lies ahead, nor will it deter me and my team from doing the important work that must be done to get there."

The Chief said New Jersey continues to be proactive in its approach to ensure that law enforcement is staffed by "true professionals." He said this is the same approach that he employs in the Cranford community.

"Over the past several years Cranford has taken the lead on police reform, mandating that all officers are trained in de-escalation techniques, implicit bias training, and Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement(ABLE)," Greco said. "In Cranford, we have mandated an additional system of checks and balances by ensuring the multi-layered supervisory review of our officers’ body worn camera footage to confirm that our agency and its officers are performing their duties professionally, ethically, consistently, and safely."

He continued, "The members of the Cranford Police Department are committed to protecting the sanctity of human life as well as serving our community through continued partnerships with stakeholders, residents, and business owners."

"You may follow our various social media platforms and see officers visiting a lemonade stand or attempting to locate the owner of a lost dog, but what you may not be aware of is the true acts of heroism that our officers commit each and every day," Greco said.

"Whether it is Lt. Stephen Wilde, Sgt. Shayne Temple, and Det. Jason D’Agostino, attempting to reason with an individual suffering a mental health crisis in the fast lane of the Garden State Parkway or Off. Michael Gamba placing his life in danger while disarming an armed subject during a domestic dispute, the officers of the Cranford Police Department are quietly yet proudly committed to the peace and order of our community - all while ensuring that the preservation of life is our primary responsibility."

Greco concluded his letter, "I wish I could tell you that the circumstances surrounding the murder of Tyre Nichols will never happen again, but I cannot. However, I can assure each of you that the Cranford Police Department will work tirelessly to make sure these types of scenes will never happen in our community."

Read the Chief's full letter here.