JOINT STATEMENT BY MAYOR JUSTIN ELICKER AND POLICE CHIEF KARL JACOBSON ON THE FATAL BEATING AND MURDER OF TYRE NICHOLS

NEW HAVEN, CT – Mayor Justin Elicker and Police Chief Karl Jacobson released the following joint statement on the fatal beating and murder of Tyre Nichols by officers of the Memphis Police Department:

“The heinous beating, treatment and murder of Tyre Nichols by officers of the Memphis Police Department is both sickening and enraging – and, like others, we watched the videos that were released last night with horror and disgust.

We grieve with the Nichols family, the City of Memphis, and the nation at these abhorrent acts of police brutality and violence, we condemn them in the strongest possible terms, and we are glad that the officers involved will be held accountable for their criminal acts.

Police officers swear an oath to protect and serve their fellow residents and the community, and we must do everything in our power – whether in Memphis, New Haven or elsewhere – to ensure that our police departments and criminal justice system live up to that solemn promise and treat everyone with dignity and respect, regardless of their race or background.

In New Haven, we remain committed to that goal and we are resolved – in our policing, policies, and practices – to provide fair and impartial treatment of all residents and to ensure equal justice under the law.”