The Memphis Police Division Saturday introduced that it has “completely deactivated” its SCORPION unit, at some point after the discharge of shocking video which confirmed the violent arrest of Tyre Nichols earlier this month. All 5 former officers concerned in Nichols’ arrest, who’ve since been charged with second-degree homicide in his loss of life, have been a part of that unit.

The choice got here after Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn “CJ” Davis met with members of the unit Saturday “to debate the trail ahead for the division and the group within the aftermath of the tragic loss of life of Tyre Nichols,” police stated in a press release. 

Officers got here to the conclusion that it was “in the very best curiosity of all to completely deactivate the SCORPION Unit,” the assertion learn.

SCORPION officers agreed “unreservedly” with the choice, the division added. 

The SCORPION unit had been inactive for the reason that Jan. 7 arrest of Nichols, town of Memphis had stated in a information bulletin Friday. 

SCORPION, which stands for Avenue Crimes Operation to Restore Peace in Our Neighborhoods, included greater than two dozen officers assigned to SCORPION groups. They wore black hoodies and tactical black vests with “POLICE” emblazoned throughout the back and front, and drove darkish coloured Dodge Chargers marked with a SCORPION seal. 

The crime-suppression groups patrolled in teams and at occasions used justified low-level site visitors stops as a technique to discover violent criminals, medication or weapons, based on the division.

In a news bulletin revealed on Jan. 27, Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland stated, “Since this occasion occurred, the SCORPION Unit has been and stays inactive,” although he did not make clear when the unit was deactivated. Strickland additionally stated that town is “initiating an outdoor, impartial assessment of the coaching, insurance policies and operations of our specialised items.”   

“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,” Saturday’s assertion learn. 

The 29-year-old Nichols died on Jan. 10, three days after being violently arrested throughout a site visitors cease by Memphis law enforcement officials. Bodycam and surveillance video launched Friday confirmed Nichols being pepper sprayed, kicked within the head whereas being restrained, punched and struck a number of occasions with a baton.

The 5 former officers, who’ve since been fired, have been recognized as Demetrius Haley, Tadarrius Bean, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr. and Justin Smith. They have been employed from 2017 to 2020, and have been 24 to 32 years outdated. All 5 officers have been charged with murder and other crimes. 

— Pat Milton and Chrissy Hallowell contributed to this report.