Terminated MPD officers were part of SCORPION unit
Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn "C.J." Davis, seen here at a press conference on Nov, 16, 2022, launched the SCORPION unit in 2021 as part of Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland’s efforts to reduce crime. (Brad Vest/The Daily Memphian)
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The Institute for Public Service Reporting
The Institute for Public Service Reporting is based at the University of Memphis and supported financially by U of M, private grants and donations made through the University Foundation. Its work is published by The Daily Memphian through a paid-use agreement.
The unit identifies upticks in motor vehicle thefts and violent crime and then targets those areas with patrolling SCORPION officers.
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Tyre Nichols MPD Scorpion Parkway VillageMarc Perrusquia
Marc Perrusquia is the director of the Institute for Public Service Reporting at the University of Memphis, where graduate students learn investigative and explanatory journalism skills working alongside professionals. He's won numerous state and national awards for government watchdog, social justice and political reporting. Follow the Institute on Facebook or Twitter @psr_memphis.
Ben Wheeler
Ben Wheeler is an investigative reporter for The Daily Memphian. He previously worked at the Yankton Daily Press and Dakotan and Herald-Citizen.
Julia Baker
Julia Baker covers criminal justice for The Daily Memphian. A lifelong Memphian, Julia graduated from the University of Memphis in 2021. Other publications and organizations she has written for include Chalkbeat, Memphis Flyer, Memphis Parent magazine and Memphis magazine.
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