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'Too little too late': Internet on Memphis PD disbanding Scorpion special unit after Tyre Nichols' murder

Tyre Nichols, 29, died three days after being allegedly beaten by five Memphis Police Department officers

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE: The Memphis Police Department (MPD) has permanently disbanded the special unit Scorpion following the murder charges against five of its officers in connection to Tyre Nichols' death. The department issued a public statement on Saturday, January 28, stating, “The officers currently assigned to the unit agree unreservedly with this next step," the release says. "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."

Talking about such units, Antonio Romanucci, Nichols' family attorney, said, as quoted by USA Today, "These are suppression units. These are saturation units. And what they really turn out to be are oppression units. And what they do is they wind up oppressing the people that we care about the most — our children, our young sons and daughters who are Black and brown — because they are the most vulnerable."

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After the update on disband, the victim's family welcomed the decision calling it "both appropriate and proportional to the tragic death of Tyre Nichols, and also a decent and just decision for all citizens of Memphis," stated BBC.

'Chief Davis needs to resign'

Meanwhile, social media seems to be not satisfied with the decision as one reacted, "Too little too late" while another asked, "Where are these officers going? What dept? They're still on the force. It's the mentality that needs disbanded. Another wrote, "The problem with this statement is that the SCORPION Unit should have never existed. It’s well documented that police special units are violent, reckless, and racist. Furthermore, the rest of the officers of this violent unit are still on the police force, armed & ready to kill."

One suggested, "There needs to be an external investigation into the unit’s previous operations and all its officers." On the other hand, while talking about Memphis chief Cerelyn Davis, one said, "Chief Davis needs to resign! The buck stops at the top! Period! End of story! What a disgrace this is to members of the blue family! There are no excuses!!!!"

Death of Tyre Nichols

According to CNN, a "confrontation" occurred between the officers and Nichols, who then fled on foot, Memphis police said. The officers apprehended him and "another confrontation" ensued, resulting in Nichols' arrest. Pepper spray was used during the initial confrontation, and Nichols ran away, Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy said, according to the newspaper. However, officers "found him again at another location, and at that point there was an amount of aggression that is unexplainable. There was another altercation at a nearby location, at which the serious injuries were experienced by Mr Nichols. After some period of time of waiting around afterward, he was taken away by an ambulance," Mulroy said. Nichols' death resulted in second-degree murder charges against five officers, Desmond Mills Jr, Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, and Justin Smith, as previously reported.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.