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'Racism is so blaring clear': Outrage over White Memphis cop Preston Hemphill’s delayed suspension in Tyre Nichols death

Preston Hemphill is the only known White officer involved in the death of Tyre Nichols who was 'shielded and protected' by the Memphis Police Department

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE: Days after five Memphis police officers, Desmond Mills Jr, Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, and Justin Smith, were fired and charged with murder in the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols, 29, a sixth officer has been suspended pending an investigation into his role in the case. Preston Hemphill is the only known White officer involved in the death of Nichols who was “shielded and protected” by the Memphis Police Department, said the civil rights attorney representing Nichols’s family. The officer’s belated suspension has also left people angry with one of many questioning, "Not sure why the white cop isn't facing the same accountability as the 5 Black cops?”

When asked that why the authorities didn't announce disciplinary action against Hemphill the day it fired five other black officers, a police spokesperson said, as stated by NBC, "The other 5 officer’s names were announced when they were charged departmentally, then subsequently charged criminally. Officer Hemphill has not received departmental or criminal charges. As we have advised, the investigation is ongoing. Officer Hemphill’s name came out after it was heard in the video from the Tyre Nichols scene, that was released Friday evening [January 27]. We are simply confirming that he is relieved of duty.”

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Why is Preston Hemphill's identity now coming to light?

Nichols family attorney Ben Crump explained, "The news today from Memphis officials that Officer Preston Hemphill was reportedly relieved of duty weeks ago, but not yet terminated or charged, is extremely disappointing. Why is his identity and the role he played in Tyre’s death just now coming to light?" He continued, "We have asked from the beginning that the Memphis Police Department be transparent with the family and the community — this news seems to indicate that they haven’t risen to the occasion. It certainly begs the question why the white officer involved in this brutal attack was shielded and protected from the public eye, and to date, from sufficient discipline and accountability. The Memphis Police Department owes us all answers," reports NBC.

'Why white cop isn't facing same accountability as 5 Black cops?'

Actor Darryl Lynn Hughley while hosting 'The Daily Show' said that he believes the five cops charged over Nichols' death were arrested so quickly because they are Black, reports DailyMail. Hemphill has been on administrative leave after an internal investigation on January 8, as previously reported by MEAWW. Commenting on it, City Council Vice Chair JB Smiley Jr said, "For the record, relieving someone of duty is not firing them. #FirePrestonHemphill #JusticeForTyre." While Qasim Rashid, a human rights lawyer, tweeted, "A white officer named Preston Hemphill also tased Tyre Nichols, remarking, "One of the prongs from my Taser hit the bast*rd. I hope they stomp his a*s." He's only now been suspended. Not qwhite sure why the white cop isn't facing the same accountability as the 5 Black cops?"

While one of many pointed out, "The fact that there was a white officer who took part in Tyre Nichols' murder & he was conveniently kept out of the news is so telling. Racism is embedded in every level of policing & incarceration. It's sickening, yet none of it surprising." Another said, "Racism is so blaring clear." One more wrote, "They always protect them. He'll be able to go somewhere else and work as a police officer. SMH."

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