“It’s downright disgusting”: Central Texas organization, law enforcement respond to video released by Memphis police

(KWTX) - The horrific body cam footage released by Memphis police of the night Tyre Nichols was brutally beaten by five officers has captured attention across the nation, including right here in Central Texas.

The President of the NAACP branch in Killeen said she is shocked and appalled by the behavior of the officers and a local police chief agrees.

“It was unnecessary, uncalled for, and just downright disgusting,” said TaNeika Moultire, with the NAACP in Killeen.

She said what happened to the 29-year-old is a problem that is destroying families and communities in our country.

“It makes those who are actually in this profession for the right reasons, doing the right thing, look bad,” Moultrie adds.

Moultrie says she is not only appalled as an advocate, but as a mother too.

“To see your child just constantly being kicked, and hit, and punched. Just on the ground, lifeless, hopeless, helpless,” she says.

When KWTX asked her about the protesting in response to the video, she says there are better ways to be the change you want to see.

“Let’s think of other ways that can come together as a nation to, number one, demand justice; number two, to demand change, and number three, to continue to stay in the fight,” Moultrie said.

Some local law enforcement leaders are echoing that statement. Chief Cheryl Victorian with the Waco Police Department issued a statement Friday night that says:

“It saddens me to hear of yet another tragic and incomprehensible death at the hands of persons representing the police profession. It offends me, and others who honorably serve each day, that there are men and women who wear the badge and selfishly decide to administer justice by using excessive force.

“The actions of these individuals are reprehensible, negatively impact our entire profession, and diminish the work we do daily to build community trust. Our primary responsibility as law enforcement professionals is the sanctity of life.

“The behavior of these men is not reflective of the core principles of policing or of the overwhelming majority of men and women who have committed to public safety and public service.

“The Waco Police Department will continue to work to serve honorably in providing the quality of police service our communities deserve and we offer our sincerest condolences to the family of Mr. Nichols.”s.

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