Georgia NAACP wants changes enacted after death of Tyre Nichols

GEORGIA — As Memphis Police Department disbanded the SCORPION unit in wake of Tyre Nichols death. The five officers charged in his murder were part of that unit, and the department said there is now a “cloud of dishonor” over the unit.

At the same time, Georgia NAACP has announced a list of demands for reform here in Georgia.

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“We have to make sure people understand that they will be held accountable when they violate the public’s trust,” said Georgia NAACP President Gerald Griggs.

On the other side of that, the regional police union representative, Vince Champion, asked the public not to lump all officers in with those charged in Memphis.

“Take them as separate. They did this,” said Champion. “We want to leave people better than we found them, and that’s really what our job is.”

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The Georgia NAACP has four new demands:

• Body cameras for all sworn law enforcement officers
• A special prosecutor to oversee all police-involved deaths
• Overturn the law that allows officers to give testimony to grand juries
• Create a database of officers cited for excessive force that is searchable during the hiring process

“So that there’s not repeat offenders throughout departments,” said Griggs.

Champion responded, “Whatever it takes to make the citizens that we support and that we protect feel comfortable with us, whatever that reform is, we’re okay with that. Now, we would like to have a seat at the table so that you understand what we really do and what really happens out there.”

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Georgia state lawmakers would have to craft and pass bills during the current session to put any of this into motion now.

Griggs tells WSB Tonight he plans to set up meetings with the governor, senators and representatives this week.

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