The Memphis Police Department has disbanded a special police unit in connection with the death of Tire Nichols, a 29-year-old black man who was pulled over for a traffic violation earlier this month and beaten by five officers.
Saturday’s decision followed the release of shocking video footage showing officers punching, kicking and hitting Nichols with batons in a scene that sparked renewed debate about police brutality, racism and the need for reform.
Memphis police chief Cerelyn Davis said she had listened to Nichols’ family, community leaders and members of the Scorpion police unit – from which the five officers charged in Nichols’ death were assigned – and killed “in the interest of all.”.
The Street Crimes Operation Restoring Peace in Our Neighborhoods Unit was established in Memphis in 2021 to target violent offenders in high crime areas.
“When the heinous actions of some cast a cloud of dishonor under the title Scorpion, it is imperative that we, the Memphis Police Department, take proactive steps in the healing process,” said Davis.
He said the department will take all steps to rebuild the trust that was negatively affected by Nichols’ death.
Nichols, who was 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 later fired from his job and on Thursday was indicted by a grand jury for second-degree murder, among other charges.
Video footage released on Friday afternoon shows in detail the police traffic vehicle turned into a savage beating that left Nichols hospitalized and later pronounced dead.
Nichols was recorded telling officers “I didn’t do anything” as he was pulled from the car. After being pushed to the ground – where he appears to be complying with officers’ demands – Nichols is shown running away.
A separate video taken minutes later shows two police officers holding Nichols from behind while a third punched him several times in the face before the four beat him with a baton. Nichols was heard screaming “mommy” over and over.
The release of the footage has sparked concern among authorities that there could be a resurgence of national unrest and violent protests against police brutality following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in 2020.
Floyd, a black man, died after a white police officer knelt on his neck for more than nine minutes, an incident that was also captured on video.
But demonstrations held in several US cities on Friday were mostly peaceful with only a few arrests and a few minor incidents reported by authorities.
This followed a public plea from Nichols’ parents for a “peaceful protest”.
“We want peace. We don’t want any kind of riot,” said Rodney Wells, Nichols’ stepfather, who was flanked by civil rights leaders at the news conference.
Wells said the family is satisfied with the legal process so far.