Three Memphis Fire employees fired in response to Tyre Nichols scandal

Three members of the Memphis Fire Department have been fired after an investigation concluded they violated fire department policy when responding to the scene assault arrest of tire nichols.

EMTs Robert Long and Jameel Sandridge, as well as Lieutenant Michelle Whittaker, have been fired following an internal investigation, the department announced Monday.

Fire chief Gina Sweat said in a statement that the fire department received a call from police to respond to a report of someone being pepper sprayed while Nichols was handcuffed and leaned back in a police car. Based on the nature of the call and information passed on by police, Long and Sandridge said, “We were unable to conduct a proper patient evaluation of Mr. Nichols.” the statement saidWhittaker and the driver remained in the engine.

An investigation determined that all three violated “many” policies and protocols, the statement said.

Nichols died three days after the January 7 incident.

Five Memphis police officers involved in the incident have been fired and are now facing criminal charges, including second-degree murder.

“The current charges do not preclude the addition of additional charges as more information is presented,” the District Attorney’s Office statement said. We are investigating all individuals involved in the events, during, and after, up to and including the Memphis Fire Department and “those who participated in the subsequent documentation of the incident,” it said. I have read the statement.

police said on Monday sixth officerPreston Hemphill was released from duty at the start of the investigation, at the same time five people were later charged. Police said Monday night that a seventh officer had been dismissed from duty at the time, but did not identify the officer or their involvement.

Video released on Fridaymore officers are under investigation, including police body camera and street surveillance footage. Two sheriffs who responded to the incident said they were “released from duty until the investigation is complete.”