After the brutal police operation against a black man in the US city of Memphis, another officer has been released from duty.

This was reported by several US media, including the broadcaster CNN and the "New York Times", citing the police in Memphis. Memphis police could not immediately be reached for comment.

According to media reports, it is a white police officer. It is still unclear what role this officer played in the operation, it said. Five black police officers who were directly involved in the operation had previously been dismissed from duty. Charges were brought against her. The five men are accused of second-degree murder and aggravated assault.

Background is the death of 29-year-old Tire Nichols. The young man was brutally beaten by police officers during a traffic stop in Memphis, Tennessee, on January 7. He succumbed to his injuries in hospital three days later. The case has sparked protests across the US and reignited debate over police violence against African Americans.

A coalition of black Democrat members of Congress had invited the Nichols family to be guests at US President Joe Biden's State of the Union address to both houses of Congress next week. According to an employee of the congress group, the family accepted the invitation.