“It was hard to watch” | Former and current St. Louis County police officers respond to Tyr Nichols video release

ST. LOUIS. Just 24 hours ago, the Memphis Police Department released footage of the Tyre Nichols investigation.

Editor’s Note: We must warn you, images are annoying and very hard to see.

Since its publication, the video has sparked protests across the country, including in St. Louis.

Many local officials commented on the disturbing videos. Emotions on Saturday, many were at the limit.

Retired Missouri Highway Patrol Captain Ronald Johnson said the video was “difficult to watch”.

“This gentleman was 29 and my son turned 30 yesterday,” Johnson said. “So, it really brought this home. Hearing him call his mom… it was hard to watch.”

As a father, a black man and a former Missouri trooper, Johnson said his emotions were running high after watching a video of five Memphis police officers fatally beating 29-year-old Tyre Nichols.

“I think for a lot of people in the US, especially people of color, it’s the same, the same,” Johnson said. “I think that hasn’t changed… It kind of makes them feel more ingrained in how they think about law enforcement. For others in America, I think it made them reconsider that maybe it’s time to do something different. I think for law enforcement – I think for many of us who have done great work and continue to do great work – it says that it’s time for us to change and we can’t let things like that be a reflection of we all.”

Johnson spent part of his 30+ year career as the Michael Brown riot commander in Ferguson.

He said one of the hardest parts is knowing that Nichols won’t be the last.

“My emotions are high, just for this country, for our region, about how we move forward and we should, but part of me says people are asking, ‘Do you think this will happen again?’ My answer is yes, so it’s difficult, so my answer should be yes to this question,” Johnson said.

Johnson also said he believes more leadership training is needed for all police officers, not just officers at command level.

“When I look at this stop, you know you address them with calmness and respect. If you approach calmly, it usually calms the person you are facing,” he said.

Pagedale Police Department Chief Anthony Huckleberry called the video stunning and the actions of the officers completely unacceptable.

“I really think this kind of behavior repels African-American cops…,” Huckleberry said.

Huckleberry said departments everywhere have taken important steps to improve the perception of policing.

He said that what happened on January 7 in Memphis was a big blow to what had been done.

“I think after seeing this incident on TV and everyone else in the world seeing this incident, it looks like we’re not going anywhere,” Huckleberry said. “It gives the impression that they have not taken any action.”

Huckleberry said he agreed with the Memphis cops’ indictment, but Johnson said it was now up to the courts and the judiciary to decide what would happen to the officers.

Both Huckleberry and Johnson agreed that this was a lesson for all.

“I would just like to say to the people of St. Louis and the people of this country that we have wonderful men and women who serve us every day, but I know, along with the leaders of our communities, with our citizens, if we can create a partnership and have a proper discussion, we can move forward better,” Johnson said.

Mayor Tishaura Jones issued a statement following the release of the video. She said she feels particularly heartbroken as the black son’s mother says, “Families in our region and our country have seen another traumatic video showing the tragic, horribly violent last moments of a black man’s life.”

She goes on to say, “Community trust is needed to make our neighborhoods safer.”