MPD reverses course on Lt. DeWayne Smith decertification rescindment
Former SCORPION unit member Lt. DeWayne Smith appears on MPD body camera footage Jan. 7 after the encounter between officers and Tyre Nichols. (Screenshot)
According to a statement provided by MPD Thursday, March 23, an internal discussion occurred concerning the department’s ability to decertify an officer who retired before being terminated and a request to delay the decertification was misunderstood.
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Tennessee Peace Officers Standards and Training Memphis Police Department Lt. DeWayne SmithJulia Baker
Julia Baker covers Memphis and Shelby County’s law enforcement agencies and is a member of The Daily Memphian’s public safety reporting team. A lifelong Memphian, Julia graduated from the University of Memphis in 2021. Other publications and organizations she has written for include Chalkbeat, Memphis Flyer, Memphis Parent magazine and Memphis magazine.
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