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Documents obtained by several news outlets identified DeWayne
Smith, a 25-year veteran of the city's police force, as the
on-scene supervisor on the night of Jan. 7, when officers kicked
and punched Nichols while he was handcuffed.
Nichols, an unarmed Black man, died in the hospital three days
later.
The former lieutenant submitted his retirement on March 1, a day
before officials at a hearing held in his absence determined he
should have been fired, according to the reports.
Smith could not immediately be reached for comment.
Disciplinary charges against Smith alleged he did not provide
Nichols with appropriate medical care even as he heard the man
say "I can't breathe."
Smith was accused of neglect of duty, making unauthorized public
statements, and violating department policy by not wearing his
body camera, according to the documents cited by news outlets.
"For that lieutenant to be able to retire thinking that he's
going to escape the consequences of his actions ... We're not
going to let that happen," Nichols' stepfather Rodney Wells said
during an event in New York City on Saturday.
Five officers, all Black, have been criminally charged with
second-degree murder, assault, kidnapping, official misconduct
and oppression for Nichols' death. They all pleaded not guilty.
Smith has not been charged in Nichols' death.
A total of 13 officers have come under investigation for their
conduct in Nichols' arrest, authorities have said. Three members
of the Memphis Fire Department were also fired and one was
suspended.
(Reporting by Maria Caspani; Editing by Daniel Wallis)
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