'Inhumane' Beating Death Of Tyre Nichols Condemned By Summit PD Chief

SUMMIT, NJ — Summit Police Chief Steven Zagorski condemned the "profoundly sickening" police beating death of Memphis man Tyre Nichols following the release of body camera footage last week.

Nichols, an aspiring photographer, was pulled over near his home on Jan. 7, but not charged with a crime. He died three days after being beaten by Memphis police officers, officials say. The five officers face second-degree murder charges.

Authorities in Memphis released more than an hour of footage Friday of the violent beating of Nichols, in which officers held the Black motorist down and struck him repeatedly as he screamed for his mother, the Associated Press reported. More: DA: 5 Memphis Cops 'All Responsible' For Tyre Nichols' Death

"The death of Tyre Nichols at the hands of Memphis police officers is inhumane, indefensible, and profoundly sickening," said Zagorski on Monday. "I would like to assure every member of our community that the Summit Police Department will continue to work tirelessly to ensure these types of scenes never happen here."

Zagorski also said he stands by the Union County Police Chief’s Association in their condemnation of the Memphis officers' actions. The local federation of chiefs and directors in the county made a joint statement expressing "outrage" and affirming their commitment "to upholding the highest standards of policing within our County."

The Police Chief's Association released the following statement Sunday, signed by Chief Giacomo Sacca:

The Union County Police Chief's Association supports the decision of the Shelby County, TN, District Attorney's Office in the charging and indictment of the police officers involved in the tragic death of Tyre Nichols. Our organization condemns the actions of the former Memphis police officers involved as they do not represent the expected standards of morals, ethics, and training of police officers nationwide. Our association is saddened at the events as they unfolded and sends our deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Nichols. In the face of this hardship and heartache, our members wish to express our outrage and affirm our commitment to upholding the highest standards of policing within our County.

The Union County Police Chief's Association represents the federation of Chiefs and Directors of Union County, NJ. Collectively our coalition is responsible for ensuring the appropriate training, management, and supervision of the law enforcement members of Union County. Our organization works tirelessly to ensure that tragedies like the one that unfolded in Memphis, TN, on January 7, 2023, do not develop. The appalling incident leading to the loss of Mr. Nichols' life shall remind us that our efforts must focus on and lead to the eradication of police brutality.