OHIO — The city of Memphis released footage of Tyre Nichols' arrest Friday evening. The video footage is incredibly disturbing and contains strong language, viewer discretion is advised.

Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man, died three days after a confrontation with Memphis police officers. The five officers, who are all Black, were charged with second-degree murder and other crimes on Thursday.

Here's how some Ohio politicians, police departments and others responded to the video's release:


Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval:

"Today, our hearts are with Tyre Nichols, his grieving family, and the entire Memphis community. This tragedy requires a comprehensive and open investigation. It's yet another reminder that we have so much more work ahead of us to ensure an equal and fair criminal justice system for all. We will never stop pushing for our ideals."


Cincinnati Police Department:

The Cincinnati Police Department will always honor and respect everyone's 1st Amendment right. At anytime when an assembly of peaceful protest or civil unrest occur, CPD has a plan and procedures in place for each event.

Additionally, the following statement from Police Chief Teresa Theetge:

"As your Police Chief, I want to reassure the citizens of Cincinnati that CPD will remain committed to our partnerships with the community and continue to maintain our high standards of treating everyone with dignity and respect, because of the department's culture, procedures, and training we have in place."


Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb:

The video evidence released today in the beating death of Tyre Nichols in Memphis is horrifying. I am heartbroken for Tyre's family-his parents, his siblings, and his young son. No family should ever have to experience what they are going through right now.

We have been here too many times without achieving the change we so desperately need.

What happened in Memphis on January 7 lays bare what is at stake if we do not get police reform right. Despite heightened awareness and nationwide organizing and activism in the wake of the killing of George Floyd, change is not happening fast enough.

We must do better, and it starts with real accountability, real oversight, and working in partnerships across our communities.

Here in Cleveland, the new Community Police Commission-established by Issue 24-met for the first time on Wednesday to begin their critical work as one of the strongest citizen oversight boards in the country. We believe that this is the beginning of a new era in constitutional policing, powered by people and set up for real and lasting change.

I join leaders from across the country in denouncing the brutality that took this young man's life, in calling for peace as the investigations continue, and in asking for justice for Tyre Nichols and his loved ones.


National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati:

Today, we find ourselves in a shockingly familiar situation: a nation in mourning over the unjust and brutal death of a person at the hands of law enforcement. A death captured on bodycam footage that family, friends and an entire nation is pained to relive in gritty, heart wrenching detail. A death that, once again, shows the dire need for changes in law enforcement. As the family and loved ones of Tyre Nichols grieve his loss, we must come together and demand better of our nation and of law enforcement – better training, better procedures, better accountability. We must demand that our law enforcement serves and protects ALL people.

The murder of Mr. Nichols is a painful reminder that this is an issue that cuts across color lines. It is proven to be a systemic issue: our law enforcement is failing us too often. For years we have demanded improved, equitable police-community relations. For years we have demanded implicit bias training. For years we have demanded accountability. It’s past time we take a closer look at the institution of law enforcement and make a concerted police-community effort to ensure there are no more shattered communities, no more empty chairs, no more grieving families.

Change must come from within these systems, and we must demand it. We encourage people to make their voices heard - by peacefully protesting, by contacting their legislators, by contacting their police departments to begin meaningful conversations that result in positive change. We expect, and hope, law enforcement around the country will respect individuals’ constitutional right to peacefully assemble.

We are pleased to see the Memphis DA fulfill the duties of their office and work to hold the officers involved in Mr. Nichols’s death accountable. We now call upon our criminal justice system to uphold its responsibility under the law with the expectation that Mr. Nichols’s family and loved ones, and the entire nation, can be confident that we will find true justice as we continue the pursuit of unwavering accountability in our law enforcement and criminal justice systems.

Hearts are broken. Communities are grieving. Emotions are raw. But we must not shut those emotions down; we must use them to inspire thoughtful action. We must not let this moment pass without demanding real action to improve law enforcement training, procedures and community relations.


Columbus Division of Police Chief Elaine Bryant:

“After watching the videos released from the Memphis Police Department, I am deeply heartbroken and saddened. The actions of these former officers do not represent the standards we hold here at the Columbus Division of Police. Our officers are trained to treat every individual with dignity and humanity. We respect our community’s right to voice their frustration and will give them the space to do so peacefully. We will continue to listen and work together to build trust. I am committed to ensuring this agency sets the standard for police and community relationships.”


Cleveland Cavaliers:


Columbus Public Safety Director Robert Clark:

I am sickened by what I just witnessed. The utter lack of humanity displayed by these officers flies in the face of the oath taken by law enforcement everywhere.

For those of us who have dedicated our careers to public safety and public service, the acts seen in this video are simply unconscionable.

I ask you to join me in praying for the family of Tyre Nichols, and echoing their calls for peace and justice.


Cleveland City Council Leadership Team:

Cleveland, Ohio (January 27, 2023) - The Memphis Police Department recently released a video showing the death of Tyre Nichols. The Cleveland City Council leadership team extend condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Nichols and stands united in speaking out against police brutality. Staying silent contributes to the problem. Unfortunately, the incident in Memphis is not unique.

The leadership team consists of Council President Blaine A. Griffin (Ward 6), Majority Leader Kerry McCormack (Ward 3) and Majority Whip Jasmin Santana (Ward 14).

Council leadership understands residents are frustrated and angry by the content of that video, and from other recorded violent encounters. The Cleveland Division of Police is committed to protecting the right for peaceful demonstration by community members.

Cleveland is taking steps to foster better community-police relationships. These steps include legislation passed by Council in 2022 that requires the release of video footage within seven days of an incident involving a police officer's use of deadly force, efforts to improve police-community relationships via the Community Relations Board, partnering with our consent decree monitor, and seating the newly formed Community Police Commission. Council appointed three members to the Commission and approved the appointment of the mayor's ten picks to the Commission.

Working with the Cleveland Division of Police and community advocates, Council remains committed to building better community-police relationships in Cleveland.


Columbus Rep. Joyce Beatty:


Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther: