This story was updated on May 27, 2025, with the correct spelling of Tyré Nichols name.
In the weeks since the Department of Justice released a scathing report detailing the Memphis Police Department’s ongoing violations of the constitutional rights of the residents it’s charged with protecting, the city’s response has been marked more by political maneuvering than meaningful action.
While Memphis Mayor Paul Young’s administration has promised reform, the mayor has refused to take the concrete step of signing a consent decree with the DOJ. At the same time, he’s offered vague alternatives that make it much easier for the city to avoid accountability. On the second anniversary of Tyre Nichols’ death, we must ask ourselves what this says about the mayor’s priorities.
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One of those alternatives, a plan to hire retired Judge Bernice Donald to monitor the MPD, was announced last month. While Donald’s credentials are unimpeachable, this move is not an adequate replacement for the action many Memphians have been demanding.
Hiring Donald without committing to a consent decree leaves the city with significant latitude to operate as it sees fit. Without the firm guardrails that only federal oversight can provide, this approach risks becoming another superficial effort at reform — a way to ward off criticism without the legal obligation to make meaningful change.
A Troubling Echo of the Past
The city has also announced plans to assemble a task force to address policing reform, an announcement that was met with skepticism from those of us familiar with Memphis’ history. The previous administration’s “reimagining policing” advisory council, launched in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, proved to be woefully inadequate. The complete failure of those efforts culminated in Tyre Nichols’ death a mere two years after the group’s creation.
A task force without concrete mandates, community oversight, and clear accountability metrics risks becoming another exercise in optics rather than an instrument of transformation. Memphians deserve better than empty gestures; they deserve a comprehensive plan that addresses the root causes of police violence and systemic misconduct.
Where Is the Transparency?
In the past year, the city pledged to publish data on traffic stops — a critical issue highlighted in the DOJ report — but has yet to follow through. Even more concerning, there has been no public disclosure of officers or supervisors found culpable for the infractions and injustices detailed in the DOJ report.
Transparency is not optional in the wake of such a devastating indictment of MPD’s policing practices. At a minimum, the city must provide a full accounting of the steps taken to address inadequate supervision within MPD. Moreover, the public deserves to know how many of these internal issues remain under the purview of interim Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis. It is little wonder that Memphians are calling for her removal, even as the mayor continues to advocate for her permanent confirmation.
Time Is Running Out
In less than two weeks, a new federal administration will take office, bringing with it new priorities and new leadership to the DOJ. Each day that passes without the city signing a consent decree or demonstrating real progress diminishes the hope of meaningful reform. Meanwhile, the potential for another tragedy looms ever larger.
The mayor’s administration must move beyond platitudes and press releases. The least they can do is make good on their promise to provide insight into the steps they’ve taken to remedy MPD’s inadequate supervision. They must also commit to full transparency about how and why these failures occurred, especially as they pertain to Davis’ leadership. Above all, they must prioritize signing the DOJ consent decree, which is the most direct and effective pathway to ensuring lasting oversight and accountability.
The Path Forward
Memphis is at a critical crossroads. The administration’s choices in the coming days will determine whether this city takes meaningful steps toward justice or retreats further into the status quo. It is incumbent upon all of us — community leaders, advocates, and residents — to hold the administration accountable for its promises and push for reforms that honor the life of Tyre Nichols and countless others harmed by this system.
Justice delayed is justice denied. And with every delay, the hope for real reform fades, leaving our community more vulnerable to the next preventable tragedy. Memphis, the time for action is now.
The Rev. Earle J. Fisher, Ph.D., is the senior pastor of Abyssinian Baptist Church and founder of UpTheVote901.
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