MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - A local organization is calling Memphis police officers out of control. The group wants the federal government to investigate the Memphis Police Department for violating people's civil rights.
The Memphis Black Autonomy Federation cites six incidents this year where the group says Memphis police officers used excessive force that resulted in the deaths of six people of color.
Jonina Ervin and her husband, Lorenzo Ervin, have a real distrust of the police. The Ervins are with the Memphis Black Autonomy Federation, a group they say is for social justice.
The group wants police officers held accountable for what they say were the unnecessary deaths of six people this year, which include 38-year-old Dewayne Bailey, who was shot and killed by police June 4th after they say he dragged a police officer and rammed two squad cars.
Also, 19-year-old Christian Freeman, who was shot by police June 12th near Fourth and Beale after they say he lunged at them with a knife.
"They knew [Freeman] had mental problems," Jonina said, "Memphis police should have specially trained force of over 200 officers who know how to deal with people who have mental health problems."
"If you shoot someone, whether you wear a badge or whatever, you don't have the absolute right to kill somebody. They're not James Bond," added lorenzo.
So far the Memphis Police Department has not issued abc24.com a response to these allegations.
