The traffic stops are not random.
They happen to be conducted by police departments that, despite the state’s low crime rate, have had to deal with an increased police presence over the last few years.
In the past, the Memphis Police Department (MPD) has conducted several traffic stops of black people and their children, a practice that has resulted in accusations of racial profiling.
But recently, the department has stepped up its efforts to crack down on the issue of black motorists who fail to yield to police.
In February, the city’s Police Commission voted unanimously to ban the practice of traffic stops for anyone over the age of 16.
According to the law, police can’t stop and search someone for a reason other than that of suspicion.
The move was supported by the Black Lives Matter movement, which has been calling for the police to stop the practice, and also by several civil rights groups, including the NAACP and the American Civil Liberties Union.MPD spokeswoman Kim Mascarenhas told the Huffington Post that the new policy is a result of the recent deaths of a young man and his mother.
“This was not a random stop,” Mascaresaid.
“It was the result of a serious, deliberate, and racially motivated act of violence.”
In the video above, you can see how a Memphis police officer tries to stop a white car while the young man is on the ground.
He is then arrested.
Mascaresshow Memphis has banned the practice.
(The video has since been taken down.)
Mascarenasays that the department is “concerned” by the incident and that the officer involved will be disciplined.
“This type of behavior will not be tolerated in any way,” Mavaresaid in a statement.
“MPD will be investigating the officer’s actions.”
The Mascariares have previously made similar statements in the wake of several high-profile incidents of white people being pulled up for traffic violations, including a recent case where an 18-year-old black man was stopped for speeding and was charged with aggravated assault, assault and battery, and criminal mischief.
The department’s traffic stop policy has sparked some backlash from activists.
In the wake, activists have launched a petition calling on the city to take action against the department for the violation of the civil rights of the young men.
“Stop this racist police tactic,” it reads.
“You should be ashamed.
This is wrong and you should know it.”
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