Memphis Police officer Preston Hemphill fired
Hemphill is the sixth MPD officer to be fired for violating police policies in the Jan. 7 death of Tyre Nichols. State board suspends 2 of 3 fired EMTs over failure to help Tyre NicholsRelated story:
Bill Dries
Reporter
Bill Dries covers city and county government and politics. He is a native Memphian and has been a reporter for almost 50 years covering a wide variety of stories from the 1977 death of Elvis Presley and the 1978 police and fire strikes to numerous political campaigns, every county mayor and every Memphis Mayor starting with Wyeth Chandler.
There are 4215 articles by Bill Dries :
-
February 2023
-
Public Safety -
City of Memphis City launches ‘Memphis Alerts’ notification system for emergencies
The City of Memphis has a new system to alert citizens of emergency situations.
-
Premium
On the RecordMemphis City Council, Mayor Strickland weigh sweeping police reforms
On The Daily Memphian’s “On The Record” podcast, Michalyn Easter-Thomas talks about trying out a ban on traffic stops by police for certain offenses. Other council members want a department-wide review.
-
Elections A tenth candidate joins Memphis mayor’s race
Memphis City Council member Frank Colvett formally announced his candidacy Thursday, Feb. 2.
-
Elections Paul Young has most money in Memphis mayoral campaign coffers
The DMC president raised $347,482 since September compared to the $311,719 raised by Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner and $300,000 by businessman and philanthropist J.W. Gibson.
-
-
January 2023
-
Public Safety VP Harris to attend Tyre Nichols’ funeral
President Joe Biden told the family last week he would make passing the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act in Congress a priority.
Related story:
-
Public Safety Seventh MPD officer relieved of duty as more personnel actions are ‘imminent’
A seventh Memphis Police officer under investigation and off the job is not identified. But police brass say he and officer Preston Hemphill have been relieved of duty since the day after Tyre Nichols was beaten by police in southeast Memphis.
-
Public Safety Nichols protesters gather at Shelby Farms, pray in Brandywine subdivision
Leaders of the sunset protest demanded the names of every officer involved in Nichols’ death and that they all be charged. Meanwhile, the parents of Nichols were among a smaller group that gathered Monday evening in the Brandywine subdivision where Nichols was beaten by police the night they stopped him.
-
South Memphis Lincoln Park subdivision breaks ground in South Memphis
The affordable housing development has been a decade in the making. Construction begins amidst a new push to scale affordable housing in blighted areas beyond isolated units as well as new concerns about how nonprofits get the land for development.
-
Public Safety Three Memphis firefighters fired in Nichols probe
Three Memphis firefighters have been fired for violating “numerous” department protocols in the treatment of Tyre Nichols, the Memphis Fire Department announced.
-
Premium
City of MemphisHernando DeSoto Bridge is a symbol of protest amid calls for reform
As public officials expressed outrage about Tyre Nichols’ death online, the protests marking the release of the videos returned to the symbol of local protest in the age of Black Lives Matter — the bridges across the Mississippi River.
-
Behind The Headlines Calls for reform in wake of Nichols’ death have roots in George Floyd protests
The “Behind The Headlines” reporters roundtable focused on the death of Tyre Nichols and its long-term impact on policing and criminal justice reform in Memphis.
-
Public Safety Two Sheriff’s deputies suspended as Nichols investigation expands again
Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner Jr. announced the suspensions and investigation Friday, Jan. 27, after viewing the video of the incident.
-
Tyre Nichols
Public SafetyStrickland says outside review of MPD essential to police culture questions
Mayor Jim Strickland said an outside review of MPD’s special units will likely determine if police culture needs to change or if more training is the answer.
Related stories:
Reaction to charges in Tyre Nichols case echo calls for justice
Here’s what’s closing early Friday ahead of Tyre Nichols footage release
-
Public Safety Reaction to charges in Tyre Nichols case echo calls for justice
President Joe Biden and local officials speak ahead of the release of police video of the arrest of Tyre Nichols. Much of the reaction followed the filing of second-degree murder charges against five Memphis Police officers.
-
Public Safety MPD chief orders probe of specialized units; additional officers under investigation
In a recorded statement released late Wednesday evening, Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis said other MPD officers, besides the five already fired last week for violating department policies in Tyre Nichols’ death, are under investigation.
-
City of Memphis City Council’s public safety committee avoids talking about Tyre Nichols
Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis, who generally attends the council’s biweekly public safety committee, was not present for the Tuesday, Jan. 24, morning meeting.
-
Elections Pearson heading to Nashville after appointment to state House seat
Environmental activist Justin J. Pearson followed up his Tuesday victory in the District 86 Democratic primary with a 9-0 county commission vote Wednesday, appointing him to the open seat in the Shelby County delegation.
-
Elections Environmental activist Justin Pearson wins state House District 86 seat
In his first race for elected office, Pearson easily beat attorney and former Shelby County Commissioner Julian Bolton in the Democratic primary. Pearson will be running uncontested in the general election.
-
City of Memphis City Council looks at long-term police reforms in wake of Tyre Nichols’ death
Proposals include keeping data on police traffic stops and renewing plans to increase police training.
-
City of Memphis City Council sets up compromise provisions for Memphis in May damage deposit
The council votes on the Memphis in May measure at its first meeting in February. The council delayed several other matters, including a possible new name for Audubon Park and a decision on the Dream Hotel.
Related story:
Memphis facility should reduce cancer-causing emissions, City Council says
-
Shelby County Shelby County Commission approves three-month moratorium on Land Bank sales
The unanimous Shelby County Commission vote Monday for the moratorium came despite county attorneys warning the commission might be overstepping its authority.
Related story:
Winner of District 86 primary to get an extra day’s jump on appointment
-
East Memphis Council member proposes name change for Audubon Park
The Memphis City Council is also expected to take up the Dream hotel project on South Main and a damage deposit proposal for Memphis in May’s return to Tom Lee Park.
-
Shelby County Anticipating February ‘rush,’ Halbert to close Downtown vehicle registration for two weeks
Less than 24 hours before the partial closing begins, the Shelby County Clerk says it is to “stay ahead of February’s anticipated rush.”
-
Shelby County Winner of District 86 primary to get jump on appointment
The County Commission will vote Wednesday on a move to make the primary winner of the District 86 special election the appointee until the uncontested March election results are certified.
-