Halifax Regional Police Chief Dan Kinsella has released a statement condemning the "brutal beating" of a Black man during a traffic stop in the United States.
Authorities in Memphis, Tenn., have released footage of officers holding Tyre Nichols down and striking him repeatedly as he screamed for his mother.
After the beating, officers milled about for several minutes while Nichols lay propped up against a car, then slumped onto the street.
Nichols died three days after the Jan. 7 confrontation.
In a news release issued Monday morning, Kinsella calls the incident "deeply disturbing."
"I condemn the actions of the officers who committed these heinous acts, and those who stood by and watched," the police chief stated. "It is heartbreaking to know that officers who took an oath to serve and protect inflicted such horrendous pain and injuries on that young man, a beloved son and a father."
"These actions are not a reflection of, nor do they define the service of hundreds of thousands of police officers. But we know that the actions of those officers will impact the trust and confidence in the entire profession."
The Memphis Police Department officers, all of whom are Black, have been charged with second-degree murder and other crimes.
Kinsella said Halifax Regional Police "support and commend the swift efforts of the Memphis Police Department to bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice."
Other police chiefs in Canada have also speak out about Nichols' death.
Halifax Regional Police Chief Dan Kinsella's full statement on the beating death of Tyre Nichols:
“The details and video of the brutal beating of Tyre Nichols of Memphis and his subsequent death are deeply disturbing. On behalf of Halifax Regional Police, I condemn the actions of the officers who committed these heinous acts, and those who stood by and watched. It is heartbreaking to know that officers who took an oath to serve and protect inflicted such horrendous pain and injuries on that young man, a beloved son and a father."
“These actions are not a reflection of, nor do they define the service of hundreds of thousands of police officers. But we know that the actions of those officers will impact the trust and confidence in the entire profession.
“We support and commend the swift efforts of the Memphis Police Department to bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Tyre’s family - we send them our condolences. We extend our deepest support to our fellow community members. We stand with you through this difficult time.”
With files from Canadian Press
