MPD Chief Davis: More officers being investigated; all ‘specialized’ units under review

Two Novembers ago, a specialized Memphis Police Department unit was put on the streets to identify surges in motor vehicle thefts and violent crime.

The Street Crimes Operation to Restore Peace in Our Neighborhoods — dubbed the SCORPION unit — now is under a “complete review,” Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn “CJ” Davis revealed in a video released late Wednesday night.

The five officers fired for violating department policy, namely beating 29-year-old Tyre D. Nichols so bad that he died three days later, were assigned to the SCORPION unit.

Now, all specialized units are under review, Davis detailed.

And, for the first time, it was learned that others are under investigation to determine if they performed their duties according to code.

Here’s Chief Davis sharing her view of things:

Also Wednesday, U.S. Atty. Kevin G. Ritz, detailed what he told Nichols’ family about a federal criminal investigation now underway. That’s part of the story below.

Support for the Nichols family and the pursuit of “Justice for Tyre” is coming from multiple quarters.

Ahead of viewing video footage at Memphis City Hall last Monday, RowVaughn Wells and Rodney Wells, Nichols’ parents,  asked the skateboarding community to show it supports outside. Their son was an avid skateboarder.

Among the haunting questions the horrific beating and Nichols’ death poses is this:

Tyre Nichols’ family showed determination from the jump to get “Justice for Tyre.”

The intersection of the pursuit of “Justice for Tyre” and grieving the loss.

Then, a step toward justice.

It was a step that caught many off guard.

With the volume increasing for the release of video footage to the public, Tyre Nichols’ family saw what there is during a private setting at Memphis City Hall.

The rawness of the community tragedy cuts deep and no one feels it more than Tyre’s mother, RowVaughn Wells.