Memphis police have disbanded a special police unit linked to the death of Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old black man who was stopped and beaten by five police officers earlier this month for a suspected traffic violation.
Saturday’s decision release A harrowing video footage showing officers punching, kicking and batoning Nichols in a scene that sparked renewed debate about police brutality, racism and the need for reform.
Memphis Police Chief Serelyn Davis said she was listening to the Nichols family, community leaders and members of the so-called Scorpion Police Squad, and that the five officers charged with Nichols’ death had been deployed and “all “For the best interest of man,” he said, disabling the police. ”.
The Street Crimes Operations to Restore Peace in Our Neighourbourhood unit will be established in Memphis in 2021 to serve violent offenders in high crime areas.
“While some heinous actions cast a cloud of stigma on the title of Scorpion, it is imperative that we at the Memphis Police Department take proactive steps in the healing process,” Davis said.
She said the department will do whatever it takes to rebuild the trust that was negatively affected by Nichols’ death.
Nichols, the father of a 4-year-old son, died three days after being hospitalized after being beaten by five police officers who were also black. The officer was subsequently fired and was indicted by a grand jury Thursday on charges including second-degree murder.
Video footage released Friday night showed in graphic detail how a police traffic stop morphed into a savage beating that led to Nichols’ hospitalization and subsequent death.
Nichols has been recorded telling officers, “I’m not doing anything,” as he is dragged out of the car. After being pushed to the ground, Nichols was seen responding to police demands before he was shown running away.
Another video filmed minutes later showed two officers hugging Nichols from behind, a third punching him in the face several times, and a fourth hitting him with a baton. Nichols can be heard repeatedly yelling “Mother”.
The release of the footage sparked concerns among officials that nationwide riots and violent protests against police brutality could follow the 2020 killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Floyd, a black man, died after a white police officer knelt on his neck for more than nine minutes. This was also recorded on video.
But demonstrations held in several US cities on Friday were mostly peaceful, with only a handful of arrests and a few minor incidents reported by authorities.
This followed a public plea for “peaceful protest” by Nichols’ parents.
“We want peace. rice field.
Wells said the family is happy with the legal process so far.
