Scorpion Unit of Memphis Police shut over brutal death of Tyre Nichols
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"In the process of listening intently to the family of Tyre Nichols, community leaders, and the uninvolved officers who have done quality work in their assignments, it is in the best interest of all to permanently deactivate the SCORPION Unit."
The Memphis Police Department (MPD) has shut down the Scorpion Unit special task force which all the five police officers involved in the brutal murder of Tyre Nichols were serving.
The five killer cops had earlier been fired, and are now facing criminal charges, including second-degree murder.
The announcement was made on Saturday in a statement released by the MPD in order to assuage the feelings of the outraged public following the release of body cam footage that showed 5 cops detaining and brutally beating Nichols on Jan. 7.
The officers pepper-sprayed and shocked Nichols with Taser while they can also be seen beating him with a baton and kicking and punching him. Nichols, subdued, kept yelling “mom.”
He died three days later in a hospital after the confrontation.
This has led to protesters flooding the streets in some U.S. cities to show grievance over the inhuman treatment meted out to Nichols.
The release read: “Today Memphis Police Officers assigned to the SCORPION Unit (Street Crimes Operations to Restore Peace in Our Neighbourhoods) met with Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis to discuss the path forward for the department and the community in the aftermath of the tragic death of Tyre Nichols.
“In the process of listening intently to the family of Tyre Nichols, community leaders, and the uninvolved officers who have done quality work in their assignments, it is in the best interest of all to permanently deactivate the SCORPION Unit.
“The officers currently assigned to the unit agree unreservedly with this next step. While the heinous action 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.
“The Memphis Police Department remains committed to serving our community and taking every measure possible to rebuild the trust that has been negatively affected by the death of Mr. Tyre Nichols.”
U.S. President Joe Biden has also said that he was “outraged and deeply pained to see the horrific video of the beating that resulted in Tyre Nichols’ death.”
“It is yet another painful reminder of the profound fear and trauma, the pain, and the exhaustion that Black and Brown Americans experience every single day,” Biden lamented.
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