METHUEN — The following is a statement from Chief Scott J. McNamara regarding the death of Tyre Nichols earlier this month in Memphis, Tennessee:
“The men and women of the Methuen Police Department condemn the actions of the five former Memphis Police officers involved in the death of Tyre Nichols. Their actions were abhorrent. We are outraged both as law enforcement professionals and as human beings. We expect this incident will be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
“Each of our officers has taken an oath to our community. Every day that means building trust and working toward positive partnerships. It also means honoring that oath and our Methuen Police badges by working with professionalism, integrity, and compassion. Those videos display nothing of the noble profession to which I and those officers I work with have dedicated our professional lives.
“Here in Methuen, I pledge to do everything I can to prevent an outrage like the one seen in Memphis. Our laws, policies, training and systems of review are all directed toward that.
“Our officers also receive regular training in areas including use of force and de-escalation, the duty to intervene, and procedural justice, working to contribute to positive outcomes in all of our interactions.
“Our department reviews every use of force via a multi-part multi-officer review process that includes trained supervisors and the Deputy Police Chief. We continue to work with a goal to create a division of the department dedicated to social services and the alternatives to police response that I hope will help address challenges such as substance-use disorder, homelessness and chronic mental-health issues so police intervention does not become necessary.
“In preparation for this, 25 percent of our officers have attended a 40-hour CIT (Crisis Intervention Training), with the goal of having every officer trained in Mental Health First Aid.
“Incidents such as the one in Memphis fray the relationship between law enforcement and community. As a professional Department we will work to repair any damage that has been done, and will work to continue to uphold the highest expectations of those we serve.”