(GoRealNewsNow.com) – The Memphis police department has permanently shut down its elite unit, “SCORPION,” after the recent fatal beating of 29-year-old Tyre Nichols.
The unit, which stands for “Street Crimes Operation to Restore Peace in Our Neighborhoods,” was involved in the case, and at least two of the five officers now charged with Nichols’ murder were members of the unit.
The department decided to disband the unit after discussions with the family of Tyre Nichols, community leaders, and the uninvolved officers of the unit.
The decision was also made in light of the heinous actions of a few officers, which cast a cloud of dishonor over the unit’s title.
The SCORPION unit was created in 2021 in response to a rising murder rate in the city.
The 50-person unit was deployed in high-crime neighborhoods and focused on homicides, assaults, and major felonies.
Despite the unit’s successes, including over 550 arrests and a significant impact on violent crimes, it had been criticized for its secretive tactics, often using unmarked vehicles.
The Nichols family had called for the unit to be disbanded, and their attorney Antonio Romanucci charged that the unit had created a pattern of bad behavior.
Mayor Jim Strickland had previously championed the unit, but in light of the recent events, the Memphis police department sees it fit to deactivate the unit permanently.
The current officers of the unit have agreed with the decision, and the department believes that this move will aid in the healing process for all those impacted.
The fatal beating of Tyre Nichols has raised questions about police brutality and misconduct, and the permanent deactivation of the SCORPION unit is a step towards addressing these concerns.
The Memphis police department is committed to taking proactive steps to restore the trust of its community and prevent such incidents from happening again in the future.
What is your opinion? Do you agree or disagree with the decision to shut down the SCORPION police unit in Memphis in light of the death of Tyre Nichols? Please share your thoughts by emailing [email protected]. Thank you.
