(Reuters) – At the very least a few of the officers concerned within the site visitors cease that authorities say led to the beating and loss of life of Tire Nichols had been a part of a specialised Memphis police unit known as SCORPION.

Underneath stress from rising violent crime, Memphis in October 2021 created SCORPION, which stands for Avenue Crimes Operation to Restore Peace in our Neighborhoods. Its mandate is to stem homicides, assaults and robberies.

What’s the connection between SCORPION and the Nichols case?

As a result of not less than a few of the officers had been from SCORPION, questions arose as to whether or not they had been performing as a part of the unit once they met Nichols.

Extra broadly, the case has drawn consideration to specialised items in Memphis and elite police groups usually. Critics say a lot of these activity forces typically use aggressive techniques, function with out enough oversight, and harass communities of coloration.

Nichols, a 29-year-old black man, died in hospital three days after a violent Jan. 7 encounter with the 5 black officers who initially stopped his automobile for a site visitors violation.

The 5 officers have since been charged with second diploma homicide, assault, kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression and have been fired from their jobs.

What’s the SCORPION unit?

Memphis officers stated the unit consists of about 40 officers in 4 groups specializing in crime hotspots. Every group has members who give attention to auto theft, gang investigation and “crime suppression,” Mayor Jim Strickland stated in a January 2022 speech.

A 2021 video of the unit’s launch confirmed a number of dozen officers, largely males, going by means of roll name earlier than heading out on patrol. Some wore civilian garments and drove unmarked vehicles.

In its first months of existence, between October 2021 and January 23, 2022, SCORPION made 566 arrests. Of these, 390 had been felony arrests, in line with Strickland. Officers seized tens of 1000’s of {dollars} and greater than 250 weapons, the mayor stated.

What’s the assessment of SCORPION?

The Nichols case raised considerations that the unit strayed from its main mission, had insufficient oversight, and used techniques that elevated the chance of violence.

The household’s legal professionals requested the police to disband SCORPION. Civil rights lawyer Ben Crump stated such items might flip into “a pack of wolves”.

He identified that Nichols’ encounter with police started with a site visitors cease, which falls exterior the unit’s mandate to sort out violent crime. Critics say such stops are excuses to search for weapons or medication and might escalate into violence.

Crump additionally identified that one other black man from Memphis stated he was subjected to “extreme pressure” by SCORPION officers simply days earlier than Nichols died.

Is the unit beneath assessment?

Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn Davis this week introduced a assessment of all police division specialty items, together with SCORPION, in response to Nichols’ loss of life. She known as the incident “heinous, reckless and inhumane”.

The division didn’t instantly reply to questions on SCORPION’s standing, previous complaints in opposition to the unit and whether or not the 5 officers had been assigned to it.