Oklahoma police departments react, share thoughts on death of Tyre Nichols
by Savannah Sinclair, KTUL Staff
Protesters march down the street Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, in Memphis, Tenn., as authorities release police video depicting five Memphis officers beating Tyre Nichols, whose death resulted in murder charges and provoked outrage at the country's latest instance of police brutality. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) —
Tyre Nichols was pulled over on Jan. 7 for alleged reckless driving.
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A confrontation occurred between the 29-year-old and the officers where he was beaten numerous times.
Three days later Nichols succumbed to his injuries and passed away.
As of Thursday, five police officers are being charged with murder in Nichols' death.
Upon the release of footage showing the beatings, many local Oklahoma departments have taken to social media to express their thoughts on the situation.
Tulsa Police Department's Chief Wendell Franklin said:
The Bartlesville Police Department said:
The Bartlesville Police Department expects officers to show unconditional respect for all. We hold ourselves to an ultra-high ethical and professional standard. We strive to be accountable and transparent in our dealings and in our actions.
Recent events in Memphis, TN, are disgraceful, indefensible and in no way should ever be tolerated within the institution of policing.
The Bartlesville Police Department supports the following statement by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Oklahoma Association of Chiefs of Police:
OACP Statements on the Death of Tyre Nichols
According to the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Oath of Honor, which the Oklahoma Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) has endorsed, we hold these statements to be true for the entire law enforcement community:
"On my honor, I will never betray my integrity, my character, or the public trust.
I will treat all individuals with dignity and respect and ensure that my actions are dedicated to ensuring the safety of my community and the preservation of human life.
I will always have the courage to hold myself and others accountable for our actions.
I will always maintain the highest ethical standards and uphold the values of my community, and the agency I serve."
Furthermore, the OACP Executive Board supports the following IACP statements on the death of Tyre Nichols, along with OUR dedicated commitment to unity and peace in this difficult and tragic time:
"The death of Tyre Nichols at the hands of police officers is appalling and indefensible. The brutality suffered by Mr. Nichols and the failure of any of these individuals to intervene is sickening and leaves everyone, including police officers, disgusted, infuriated, and outraged. Our thoughts go out to Mr. Nichols’ family, his friends, colleagues, and community.
The individuals involved have rightly been fired and criminally charged in the death of Tyre Nichols. There is no excuse for their actions. They have betrayed their oath of office, disgraced the law enforcement profession, and brought shame on the officers across the nation who work selflessly each day to protect their communities.
As police leaders we remain committed to emphasizing dignity and respect for all and instilling within our agencies a fundamental commitment to the preservation of human life. But we must, and will, do more. We must remain committed to working together in partnership with community members, advocacy organizations, elected officials, and others to build a future that ensures dignity, security, and justice for all. "
Stillwater Police Department's Chief Jeff Watts said:
The death of Tyre Nichols and the actions that lead to his death are incomprehensible and violate the standards of the Guthrie Police Department and of professional policing.
As community leaders, the Guthrie Police Department holds all of our personnel to the highest levels of professional conduct, ethics and accountability. We mandate that the actions of our personnel reflect both our desire to serve compassionately, and our goal to provide service above self.
GPD is committed to professionalism, unity and peace in this difficult and tragic time:
Furthermore, the GPD and the Executive Board of the Oklahoma Association of Chiefs of Police supports the following International Association of Chiefs of Police statements on the death of Tyre Nichols:
The death of Tyre Nichols at the hands of police officers is appalling and indefensible.
The brutality suffered by Mr. Nichols and the failure of any of these individuals to intervene is sickening and leaves everyone, including police officers, disgusted, infuriated, and outraged. Our thoughts go out to Mr. Nichols’ family, his friends, colleagues, and community.
The individuals involved have rightly been fired and criminally charged in the death of Tyre Nichols. There is no excuse for their actions. They have betrayed their oath of office, disgraced the law enforcement profession, and brought shame on the officers across the nation who work selflessly each day to protect their communities.
As police leaders we remain committed to emphasizing dignity and respect for all and instilling within our agencies a fundamental commitment to the preservation of human life. But we must, and will, do more. We must remain committed to working together in partnership with community members, advocacy organizations, elected officials, and others to build a future that ensures dignity, security, and justice for all.
The Oklahoma Association of the Chiefs of Police also released the following statement:
According to the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Oath of Honor, which the Oklahoma Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) has endorsed, we hold these statements to be true for the entire law enforcement community:
"On my honor, I will never betray my integrity, my character, or the public trust.
I will treat all individuals with dignity and respect and ensure that my actions are dedicated to ensuring the safety of my community and the preservation of human life.
I will always have the courage to hold myself and others accountable for our actions.
I will always maintain the highest ethical standards and uphold the values of my community, and the agency I serve."
Furthermore, the OACP Executive Board supports the following IACP statements on the death of Tyre Nichols, along with OUR dedicated commitment to unity and peace in this difficult and tragic time.
The death of Tyre Nichols at the hands of police officers is appalling and indefensible.
The brutality suffered by Mr. Nichols and the failure of any of these individuals to intervene is sickening and leaves everyone, including police officers, disgusted, infuriated, and outraged. Our thoughts go out to Mr. Nichols’ family, his friends, colleagues, and community.
The individuals involved have rightly been fired and criminally charged in the death of Tyre Nichols. There is no excuse for their actions. They have betrayed their oath of office, disgraced the law enforcement profession, and brought shame on the officers across the nation who work selflessly each day to protect their communities.
As police leaders we remain committed to emphasizing dignity and respect for all and instilling within our agencies a fundamental commitment to the preservation of human life. But we must, and will, do more. We must remain committed to working together in partnership with community members, advocacy organizations, elected officials, and others to build a future that ensures dignity, security, and justice for all.
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