UPD Chief’s Letter to SJSU Community: The Death of Tyre Nichols
Editor’s note: The following message was sent by San José State Univeristy Police Department Chief Michael Carroll to the SJSU campus community on Friday, Jan. 27, 2023.
Dear San Jose State University Campus Community,
As the Chief of Police for the San Jose State University Police Department, I am deeply saddened to announce there has been another wrongful death of an African American male at the hands of law enforcement officers. On January 7, 2023, Tyre Nichols was brutally and fatally beaten by several Memphis police officers while other officers stood by watching and refusing to intervene. Thankfully, the leadership of the Memphis Police Department and the Memphis District Attorney’s Office acted swiftly and held each of the officers involved in the tragedy accountable for Tyre Nichols’ death.
All of us here at San Jose State University Police Department are deeply grieved by this senseless act and so many others than have occurred. I can assure you the men and women who provide critical services to San Jose State University despise each of these incidents. We have worked diligently to assure our officers receive numerous hours of training in de-escalation, conflict resolution, and how to use the appropriate amount of force. The State of California recently passed Assembly Bill 26 which requires every officer to intervene if they witness excessive force by a fellow officer. We abide by these statutes and hold our officers to the highest standards.
As public servants, we vow to treat everyone with dignity and respect as we protect our campus community. The University Police Department works endlessly to gain your trust, build relationships, respond to your concerns, and provide a community model of policing which we have been tasked to provide on the University campus. Unfortunately, just as we make progress horrific incidents like the death of Tyre Nichols set the entire law enforcement community back.
The Black Leadership Opportunity Center along with the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion have directly reached out to the Black/African American SJSU community to provide them resources and support during this difficult time, but we know that the impact of this incident may be felt beyond the Black/African American Community. Campus and community resources will be shared below including ways the SJSU community can report concerns to SJSU UPD.
I can assure you the San Jose State University Police Department will continue to fight to gain your trust and to openly protest against such atrocities. We are a part of the campus community and we are proud to serve you.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Chief Michael Carroll
To report any police misconduct or criminal behavior, please consider calling or writing to (408) 924-2174 or One Washington Square, San Jose, CA 95192-0046.
Resources For Students:
If you have a mental health emergency and need immediate assistance please contact Counseling and Psychological Services. There is always a staff member available to assist you. Please call 408-924-5910 or visit us at sjsu.edu/wellness. All of our services are being offered either in person or online through confidential video or phone sessions.
Resources For Employees:
Visit LifeMatters® for more information. Password: SPARTANS
To speak with someone from LifeMatters® confidentially, call 800-367-7474.
Resources for the SJSU Community:
You may also call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing or texting 9-8-8. In addition, you may contact the Crisis Text Line by sending a text for help: Text HOME to 741741. Both lines are available 24/7.
If you are experiencing discrimination and need assistance, contact the Office for Equal Opportunity or Report a Bias Incident here.
Report Concerns to SJSU University Police:
For after-hours emergencies, please call 911. If you live on campus, please call campus police at 408-924-2222. You may also call UPD’s main number 408-924-5910 after hours and press 4 to connect with our after-hours crisis service.
