KANSAS CITY, Mo. – As someone who has seen horrific examples of police brutality, Tire Nichols’ murder video stands out to National Police Accountability Project Executive Director Lauren Bonds.
NPAP’s central mission is to promote accountability of law enforcement agencies and their employers for violations of the Constitution and U.S. laws, according to a statement on the organization’s website.
Bonds isn’t buying the narrative, this is very unique behavior at the Memphis Police Department because of how many people were involved and how the officers reacted to each other.
“I think there really was an effort by the Memphis Police Department to say, ‘You know, these were five officers who behaved abominably. It was very inconsistent with our training,” Bond said. But you know you’ve seen five officers who were just all you know feel empowered to do it. Encouraging each other a lot,” he said.
Bonds also discussed the systemic issues this highlights in police departments across the country.
He says it’s something no community gets away with, not even Kansas City.
“This is a really extreme example of police brutality and misconduct, but it’s definitely not unique,” said Bond. “Definitely not something we are free from in Kansas City.”
“I think the problem is the police,” he said. “It’s not like you know, it was never about a single officer, it’s not about these five officers.”
Bonds said Nichols was one of 79 people killed by police this year.
