Nashville and Memphis created police oversight boards seeking accountability. Now Tennessee’s Republican supermajority is abolishing them.

Tennessee’s two largest cities, Nashville and Memphis, have been running independent, civilian-led boards to investigate police misconduct allegations and review policing policies. On Thursday, the state legislature voted to abolish the groups.

The decision reverses what Nashville voters created via referendum nearly five years ago. The 2018 vote saw 58.8% of Nashville voters approved the creation.

The death of 25-year-old Daniel Hambrick, who was fatally shot by a Metro police officer as he ran away, sparked widespread support for the independent oversight body.

Rep. Justin Jones, D-Nashville, told the bill’s sponsor that the measure overrides the city’s autonomy.

“What you’re saying is that you know better than the people have been victims of police violence, who led the campaign in Nashville to institute this community oversight board — mothers of young men who were murdered by police in this city,” Jones said.

Now the system will revert back to what it was before the independent board — with police internal affairs investigating their own officers.

The legislative move will also dissolve the Memphis Civilian Law Enforcement Review Board, which was established in 1994. The change also comes shortly after the brutal beating of Tyre Nichols by Memphis Police officers, which spurred nationwide calls for reform.

Jill Fitcheard, executive director of Nashville’s community oversight board, has called the move “nonsensical” after such high-profile incidents.

Still, critics like the bill’s sponsor State Sen. Mark Pody, R-Lebanon, accuse board members of overstepping their bounds.

This Is Nashville is planning a Citizen Nashville episode about the future of community oversight boards. What are your thoughts about the oversight board and the legislature’s vote? Leave your comments in the box below.

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