Two Tenessee patrol deputies have been suspended following the death of Tyre Nichols.
On Wednesday, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office suspended Johntavious Bowers and Jeremy Watkins for five days without pay after an internal investigation into their conduct.
According to the sheriff’s office, Bowers and Watkins “appeared on the scene after the physical confrontation” between Memphis police officers and Nichols on Jan. 7. Nichols died three days later from his injuries.
The two deputies were found to have broken many laws after a “thorough review of the circumstances,” according to the sheriff’s office.
Both deputies violated many regulations and procedures, such as radio communication procedures, mobile video recording system procedures, and patrol field job duties and responsibilities. Watkins also violated a fourth regulation: operational responsibility of daily activity log at 201 Poplar.
“Because I had concerns about two deputies who appeared on the scene following the physical confrontation between police and Tyre Nichols, I ordered this internal investigation,” said Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner Jr. “Our investigation was thorough and complete. I am satisfied that the discipline given to these deputies is appropriate and just. We must continue to maintain the highest standards of excellence for the citizens of Shelby County through service, integrity, and accountability.”
Memphis ABC affiliate WATN obtained Watkins’ writeup, which shows the deputy did not record being at the scene in Memphis on Jan. 7. Also, Watkins failed to turn on his body camera or alert a supervisor that he was on the scene.
On Wednesday, both suspensions became effective. Due to its “current belief that there will be no charges” against the two deputies from the ongoing investigation by the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the sheriff’s office stated that it “believes it is appropriate to release the outcome of the internal review at this time.”
