The documents from the Memphis police suggest that Bean had no records of reprimands or suspensions. However, four of the officers named Haley, Martin, Mills, and Smith were previously disciplined or suspended for their failure to report incidents involving the use of physical force, failure to report a domestic dispute, or for damages caused to their patrol cars.
The disciplinary cases focused on whether the officers filed the required reports about the incidents and did not appear to examine the warranted use of force by the officers.
Here is a glimpse into the officers’ records:
Demetrius Haley
Based on the document, the documents should be completed when an officer employs any section of their physique “to enforce conformity.” In February 2021, he neglected to complete a response to resistance document subsequent to seizing a lady’s arm to place handcuffs on her, which contravened the regulations of the department. Haley commenced working at the department in August 2020.
Haley was given a written reprimand. He was certain that this was a limited event and Haley was a hard-working officer who routinely makes good decisions. Lieutenant said in his hearing regarding the incident that he misjudged the amount of force needed to fill out the form.
“He was driving to the scene, responding to a call about aggravated assault, when he crashed into a stop sign. Haley said he heard about the incident during a radio call, where one of the officers responding to the call was holding a suspect at gunpoint. He came over the radio, saying that he was only thinking about the officer’s safety. In August 2021, Haley was given a traffic ticket.”
The infraction was disregarded and “Officer Haley assumed complete responsibility for the collision and was extremely modest during the proceeding,” penned the hearing officer.
Desmond Mills, Jr.
Mills graduated with a criminal justice degree from West Virginia State University in March 2013 and started working at the Memphis Police Department in 2017.
In March 2019, Mills accidentally dropped his personal digital assistant (PDA) into the street while getting into his police car, and unfortunately, a passing vehicle drove over the device.
As per department documents, Mills’ initial violation was promptly reported to his union representative, thus he was given a written reprimand.
In the August 2021 hearing, Mills stated that he was again issued a written reprimand, and his actions necessitated the use of a different form. He mentioned that he did not realize the consequences of his actions. Later that month, Mills failed to file a response to the form of resistance when he used physical force to take a woman down to the ground and handcuffed her, which could have led to her arrest.
Emmitt Martin III
Martin finished his education at Bethel University in 2015, specializing in criminal justice, and started working at the department in March 2018.
Based on the records, Martin received a three-day suspension without receiving any payment. Moreover, the law enforcement officers neglected to carry out examinations after the suspects departed the automobile, as per the established procedure. Throughout his work shift on that particular day, Martin and his colleague initiated two traffic stops, during which the individuals in question were seated in the backseat where the firearm was discovered. Martin admitted to failing in conducting a thorough inspection before and after his shift, and instead only assessed the vehicle externally. In March 2019, a loaded pistol was recovered from the rear passenger side of a police car utilized by Martin and his partner.
Based on the records of the department, if a report had to be taken, both siblings would face arrest, and the officers who responded, including Martin, made threats to the parties involved. The man’s spouse, who was allegedly abused, did not desire the report and argued that it was unnecessary due to the intoxication of the individuals involved, expressing disbelief. Martin, however, failed to take the report and disregarded proper procedures while handling a complaint of domestic abuse between two sisters, one of whom had her husband request a report in September 2020.
Martin defended himself at the disciplinary hearing, saying that he did not want to shirk responsibility and did not report the victim. He also mentioned that he was not the one saying that.
The decision to arrest cannot be based on the victim’s perception of willingness to cooperate or consent.
Martin received a one-day suspension without receiving any payment.
In a performance assessment for the year 2021, Martin achieved exceptional results in handling interactions with the general public.
The assessment mentioned, “He consistently remains a prominent figure in apprehensions and emergencies, and not a single individual he has apprehended has expressed dissatisfaction.” “He tackles his assignments with an optimistic demeanor and is warmly welcomed by the public. Officer Martin demonstrates respect in his interactions with others, regardless of their gender, ethnicity, age, or position.”
Justin Smith
All parties were transported to the hospital in a non-life-threatening condition. In another car, carrying two individuals, it rotated and collided with a vehicle, resulting in the vehicle spinning and crashing into its back. He collided with the back of a vehicle while attempting to overtake it in January 2021. Smith commenced his employment at the department in March 2018.
As stated in the summary of the disciplinary hearing, Smith claimed that the driver of the second car made an abrupt maneuver by turning right and then left into his lane. Although he acknowledged speeding, he mentioned that his recollection was somewhat hazy because of the slight injury he sustained from the airbag.
Smith received a citation, was suspended for two days without receiving any payment, and was instructed to undergo remedial driver training.