PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Memphis police announced Monday that a sixth officer has been relieved of duty in connection with his role in the night Tire Nichols was beaten by the police.
Nichols died three days after his arrest on January 7.
The five officers who were fired face multiple charges, including second-degree murder.
Attorney Ben Crump said everyone who saw Nichols that night must be held accountable.
The beating by Memphis police has sparked emotional reactions across the country, intensified by the release of body camera video and video recorded by a camera on a utility pole.
There has been a large amount of reaction to the beating of Nichols and the release of the video.
Doctors say this can be emotional, even for people who haven’t seen the video.
“For people’s general mental health, this is still something that we need to protect,” said Dr. George James, a Philadelphia-based therapist.
James said he hasn’t been able to see the video.
“I couldn’t, I just couldn’t get over it,” James said.
But experts say you don’t have to physically witness violence to have a traumatic stress response.
“Maybe you’re having nightmares about it and it keeps replaying itself in your head,” said Jody Baumstein, a licensed therapist. “You may also notice that you’re nervous. You’re irritable. You’re a little nervous and a little worked up.”
James says the Memphis beating of a black man by black police officers can be especially difficult for minorities.
“It can make people feel pain that they felt in some other way,” James said. “Those triggers now can lead to more anxiety, more worry, more sadness, more depression, and it affects people’s work. How they present themselves. How they are with their family.”
James said that acknowledging feelings is the critical first step in coping in a healthy way.
“Just acknowledging that there’s something to talk about, like we’re doing in this segment, can let people know that it’s okay for us to have this conversation,” James said.
Parents are reminded to talk with their children, be open and honest about what happened, and validate their feelings.
“Have the conversation,” James said. “You don’t have to show a video to your kids, but you can talk about it because it will come up at school or other places.”
Healthy coping can include exercising, meditating, playing games, and even taking a walk outside. If emotions are getting in the way of daily life, it might be time to seek professional help.
James said that being active in social causes can help offset frustrated emotions, and that distractions are good.
Your favorite right now? Cheering on the Eagles.
Stephanie Stahl
