'I don't necessarily agree with defunding police,' says Memphis Police Association President Michael Williams, but he agrees 'whole-heartedly' that the city's budget isn't equitably spread to address the needs of the people of Memphis.
While Williams expressed some support for changing the way the city allocates funds, he said he isn't in support of many of the demands activists are making including having the
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation be the party responsible for investigating officer-involved shootingsNPR's Scott Simon talked with Williams about the union's response to some of the changes activists are pushing for.On police giving statements the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation about officer-involved shootings in Memphis
This is the deal. For some reason everybody thinks that because you're a police officer you want to separate me from being a citizen. Everyone is entitled to the Fifth Amendment rights. Just because I'm a police officer doesn't necessarily mean that I give up my constitutional rights. And we encourage officers to give statements, but if you're going to compel them to give statements, then they should be covered [by Fifth Amendment rights].
On the idea of requiring police officers to submit interviews as soon as possible if they are accused of misconduct No. Because just like with anything, everybody is traumatized when they go through a traumatic situation. I'm a combat veteran and I definitely understand post-traumatic stress disorder. I also understand trauma. So therefore, when you start coming at an individual right after something happens, it's just like a citizen. A citizen has the ability to either talk or not talk. And that's something that everyone continuously tries to take away from police officers.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Defunding the Police Is the Only Police Reform Americans Don’t LikeA new poll found broad support for a wide array of police reform measures. Defunding the police was the only one with clear opposition
Read more »
Atlanta police chief steps down after police shooting of Rayshard Brooks at Wendy's drive-thruAtlanta Police Chief Erika Shields stepped down Saturday following reports that an officer fatally shot a Black man in a fast-food drive-thru.
Read more »
Atlanta police chief steps down after Black man 'fleeing' police shot at a Wendy's drive-thruAtlanta Police Chief Erika Shields stepped down Saturday following reports that an officer fatally shot a Black man in a fast-food drive-thru.
Read more »
Atlanta police chief resigns after fatal police shootingAtlanta’s police chief resigned Saturday, less than 24 hours after a black man was killed by a police officer in a struggle following a field sobriety test
Read more »
Experts: Police 'woefully undertrained' in use of forcePolice officers don't get enough training on the proper way to use force during tense run-ins, instructors say. While better training can’t fix all the issues facing U.S. police departments, experts believe it would have a big impact.
Read more »
Seattle protesters set up 'autonomous zone' after police evacuate precinctThe atmosphere at the 'Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone,' where hundreds have gathered, has been part protest, part commune.
Read more »