The Memphis Police Department has disbanded the so-called Scorpion special unit, whose officers are accused of murdering Tyre Nichols.
Scorpion stands for “Street Crimes Operation to Restore Peace in Our Neighborhoods”.
The unit is a 50-person unit with the mission of bringing down crime levels in particular areas.
But now it is being abolished after its officers were seen beating Mr Nichols, 29, in the videos from 7 January.
In a statement, the department said “it is in the best interest of all to permanently deactivate” the unit.
“While the heinous actions of a few casts a cloud of dishonour on the title Scorpion, it is imperative that we, the Memphis Police Department, take proactive steps in the healing process for all impacted,” it added.
The unit was launched in October 2021 with a focus on high-impact crimes, such as car thefts and gang-related offences.
The five officers – Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Desmond Mills Jr, Emmitt Martin III and Justin Smith – were fired last week.
They were taken into custody on Thursday and each faces charges of second-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression.
Four of the five posted bail and were released from custody by Friday morning, according to jail records.
Lawyers for Mr Martin and Mr Mills have said their clients will plead not guilty.
“The unit that murdered Tyre has been permanently disbanded,” a protester shouted into a megaphone in Memphis and the crowd erupted into cheers.
Despite the rain, the group of fewer than 100 protesters had gathered in the square in front of the Memphis Police headquarters to demand change to a system of policing that they said makes a habit of brutalising black people in Memphis and across the country.
“Memphis is taking a stand,” said Casio Montez, one of the protest organisers. “This means we’re doing something right.”
Mr Montez vowed that he and other community organisers would continue to pressure Memphis Police Chief CJ Davis and city officials until “the community’s demands are met”, including reforming the department’s organised crime unit.
Source: BBC
