Memphis cops’ elite “SCORPION” unit — concerned within the deadly beating of 29-year-old Tyre Nichols earlier this month — has been shut down due to the “heinous actions of some,” the police division introduced Saturday.
A minimum of two of the 5 officers who’ve now been charged with Nichols’ homicide have been members of the unit, whose acronym stands for Avenue Crimes Operation to Restore Peace in Our Neighborhoods.
Memphis police mentioned members of SCORPION met with Police Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis to “talk about the trail ahead” after Nichols’ dying and the arrest of 5 officers, who have been charged with second-degree homicide and aggravated kidnapping within the case.
“Within the means of listening intently to the household of Tyre Nichols, neighborhood leaders and the uninvolved officers who’ve accomplished high quality work of their assignments, it’s in one of the best curiosity of all to completely deactivate the SCORPION unit,” the division wrote on Twitter.
“The present officers at present assigned to the unit agree unreservedly with this subsequent step. Whereas the heinous actions of some casts a cloud of dishonor on the title, SCORPION, it’s crucial that we, the Memphis Police Division, take proactive steps within the therapeutic course of for all impacted.”
The Nichols household had already known as for the unit to be disbanded.
“This SCORPION unit was…creating a continuous sample and follow of dangerous conduct,” charged Nichols household legal professional Antonio Romanucci at a information convention Friday.
The secretive 50-person unit was created in 2021 as a response to a skyrocketing homicide charge within the metropolis. They have been deployed in high-crime neighborhoods, typically utilizing unmarked autos and focused homicides, assaults and main felonies.
Learn extra of the Put up’s protection of Tyre Nichols’ beating dying
Mayor Jim Strickland championed the unit in a 2022 metropolis handle, mentioning how they’d made greater than 550 arrests and have been having a big influence on violent crimes.
