“Good evening. As you know, I’m Joe Sullivan, Chief of Police for the Wichita Police Department. By now I’m sure many of you will have seen the Memphis video showing the horrific beating of Mr. Tire Nichols. I Like many of you, I am shocked and disgusted by the actions of those officers and want to offer my deepest condolences to the entire Nichols family.
I want to applaud Chief CJ Davis for his handling of this incident. I also want to assure the citizens of Wichita that the Wichita Police Department stands by you in your anger, sadness and frustration at this despicable act of violence committed by 5 badge dishonoring human beings.
I wish I could say in 40 years of policing that this is the first time I’ve seen this type of case, but sadly it’s not. What I can say is that the Wichita Police Department isn’t just here for you, we’re here with you. We do not support or defend officers who act as if they are above the law and use excessive and unnecessary force against those they are sworn to protect and serve.
We look forward to many great things we will do in this city in 2023. We look forward to continuing to set the standard for how community and police work together. Because the police are the community. We are a community first and foremost.
I want to thank you for welcoming me into your community as Chief of Police. I look forward to continuing to lead the great people of the Wichita Police Department.
Thank you.”
