Here's the full statement. https://t.co/j5H2GjV5eW pic.twitter.com/gjBp796OBu — Abby D. Phillip (@abbydphillip) January 28, 2023 The Memphis Police Department is shutting down the SCORPION unit tied to the deadly beating of Tyre Nichols. https://t.co/IKhWI2FXW1 — CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) January 28, 2023
Saturday Evening Open Thread: A Start Is Made, in MemphisPost + Comments (119)
… The SCORPION unit, launched in 2021, was tasked with tackling rising crime in the city, but has been heavily criticized in the aftermath of the 29-year-old man’s killing. Nichols was brutally beaten on January 7 after a traffic stop. He required hospitalization and died on January 10.
The five Memphis officers who were fired and charged in Nichols’ death all were members of the unit, Memphis police spokesperson Maj. Karen Rudolph told CNN on Saturday.
In a statement posted on Twitter Saturday, Memphis police said it was “in the best interest of all to permanently deactivate” the unit.
“The officers currently assigned to the unit agree unreservedly with this next step,” police said. “While the heinous actions of a few casts a cloud of dishonor on the title SCORPION, it is imperative that we, the Memphis Police Department take proactive steps in the healing process for all impacted.” …
Some city leaders said disbanding the unit is just one step in addressing issues within the police force.
“The community has a lot more questions and a lot more demands,” Memphis City Council Member Patrice Robinson told CNN’s Jim Acosta on Saturday evening.
“We have gotten emails from many citizens in our community, they’re all concerned and they’re expressing exactly what they see and what they want to see in our police department. We really need to investigate and find out what’s going on.” …
If you can’t watch the bodycam video, the AP has a very detailed description here:
"You can’t go nowhere." In harrowing video of Memphis police beating, chaotic brutality gives way to excruciating reality: As Tyre Nichols lay suffering, a horde of officers paid him little mind. https://t.co/JRFnZGs6Nr
— The Associated Press (@AP) January 28, 2023
NEWS ALERT: @AttorneyCrump and @TonyRomanucci have issued a statement following the announcement that Memphis Police will eliminate its SCORPION Squad — the unit that included the five officers who brutally beat and killed Tyre Nichols. pic.twitter.com/HwNID4XzIo
— Ben Crump Law, PLLC (@BenCrumpLaw) January 28, 2023
Memphis PD permanently disbanding its SCORPION unit is just the next step on this journey for justice and accountability. Clearly this misconduct is not restricted to specialty units — It extends so much further! #CallOutTheCulture #JusticeforTyreNichols
— Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) January 28, 2023