Tyre Nichols: What is the 'Scorpion' unit of Memphis police? - BBC News
The special police squad unit focuses on violent crime, but critics say it has a reputation for brutality.
6 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Memphis Police Department/ FacebookBy Max MatzaBBC NewsAn elite police unit in Memphis whose ex-officers are charged with the murder of Tyre Nichols has been disbanded after its tactics came under scrutiny.
Scorpion - which stands for "Street Crimes Operation to Restore Peace in Our Neighborhoods" - is a 50-person unit with the mission of bringing down crime levels in particular areas.
Memphis Police said it would "permanently deactivate" the unit.
This is not the first time the Scorpion unit has attracted controversy.
It was launched in October 2021 with a focus on high-impact crimes such as car thefts and gang-related offences.
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