Statement from Sheriff Casey following the Murder of Tyre Nichols

Like other law enforcement leaders, I am extremely disturbed by the horrific attack on Tyre Nichols by Memphis police officers. Their actions are not only counter to police training and acceptable law enforcement practices, they are in complete opposition to the sworn oath we take to protect life.

Following George Floyd’s murder less than three years ago, the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office adopted a policy of active bystandership that requires employees to intervene when they witness another engaging in unacceptable conduct. ASO was one of the first agencies accepted for the Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement (ABLE) Project with Georgetown University’s Law Center and all our deputies received training on peer intervention to prevent harm.

We will be reinforcing this by immediately conducting mandatory refresher training for all deputies on peer intervention as well as on our use of force policies.

I remain committed to working toward a more just society and ensuring that our profession does all we can to prevent abuse of power.

Sheriff Sean Casey
January 28, 2023