Full Notification

As law enforcement leaders in Sonoma County, the Sonoma County Law Enforcement Chiefs’ Association is appalled by the senseless killing of Tyre Nichols. We express our condolences to the family and friends of Tyre Nichols and the Memphis community. 

The actions carried out in the video are unconscionable. The five former police officers arrested and charged in this tragic incident betrayed their oath of office and have tarnished the badge that represents our profession. The actions of these police officers are contrary to the values, training, and protocols of our law enforcement profession and does not reflect all the meaningful work law enforcement officers do on a daily basis in Sonoma County and across the country.

Any law enforcement officer who engages in this type of severe misconduct must be held accountable to the highest possible extent of the law. We support Memphis Police Chief C.J. Davis and her leadership team for acting swiftly and decisively by firing the officers involved in this heinous act and immediately seeking an outside independent criminal investigation. 

As leaders, we are speaking out against these unacceptable actions and compelling our law enforcement officers and employees here in Sonoma County and beyond to use this moment as one to reflect on how we carry ourselves and interact with all members of our communities daily.  We must continue to hold ourselves accountable to one another and the communities we serve. We strive to demonstrate, beyond any doubt, that as community guardians, we serve to give every community member a voice, neutrality, and respect. We are proud of the level of training and expertise the law enforcement officers in Sonoma County possess and their continued commitment to our communities.  

We remain committed to the preservation of human life and serving all communities fairly and respectfully. Anything less, tears the fabric of our efforts to build and maintain strong community-police relationships. We reaffirm our commitment to strengthening relationships and trust between law enforcement and our communities throughout Sonoma County.