A spokesperson for Memphis Police confirmed Monday that Officer Preston Hemphill has been relieved of duty.
Hemphill is among six officers who have been relieved of duty since the fatal beating of Tyr Nichols on January 7. Nichols died three days after being confronted by a group of Memphis police officers following a traffic stop.
The other five officers, Taddeus Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills, Jr. and Justin Smith – were fired and charged with second-degree murder and other crimes. Hemphill has not been charged.
Memphis police said Hemphill was hired in 2018.
Video of the incident was released on Friday. The video inspired nationwide protests and calls for police reform.
In four separate clips, officers are seen spraying Nichols with pepper spray, beating him with batons and kicking him in the head.
Nichols remained on the ground for approximately 25 minutes without police or medical personnel attending to his injuries. Nichols’ face was beaten and bloodied.
Additionally, the Shelby County Sheriff announced Friday that two deputies who were at the scene following the beating have been relieved of their duties pending the results of an internal investigation.
