Sheriff Floyd Bonner announced the suspensions of Jeremy Watkins and Johntavious Bowers Wednesday, Feb. 15, effective immediately.

The data is nuanced, and it’s difficult to tell what the long-term effect might be. 

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Artists paint mural of Tyre Nichols in North Memphis

Hemphill, who joined the SCORPION Unit in October 2022, had been on the unit for about three months before Tyre Nichols’ fatal encounter with him and other SCORPION officers. 

Gregory Livingston is now tentatively scheduled to go to trial on Oct. 30, and he will have a bond review hearing on March 6.

The fires at three offices of Washington Credit and Tax Solutions were set Feb. 5 and Feb. 7 and one was captured on video.

Memphis is re-evaluating its policing tactics, including the use of data-driven special units like SCORPION, in the wake of the Tyre Nichols death. 

The municipal school district and Bartlett Police Department are working with the Law Enforcement Against Drugs & Violence (L.E.A.D.) program, a nationwide nonprofit focused on helping students understand the dangers of drugs and violence.

Seven officers among 29 identified SCORPION unit members had previous infractions, records show. 

The appeal also called for the sixth officer identified and fired in the beating of Nichols to face criminal charges.

Memphis police officers responded to a collision at Tillman Street and Sam Cooper Boulevard that left one person injured.

The head of the union representing city firefighters defended the department’s employees in a letter to City Council members. 

Gershun Freeman, 33, died after sustaining injuries during the altercation Oct. 5, 2022, while he was detained at the Shelby County Jail.

In 2022, the TBI investigated nine officer-involved shootings in Shelby County, the highest number since 2019. But at least part of the reason for the increase may stem from the District Attorney’s office. 

Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy requested a TBI investigation into Gershun Freeman’s death on Oct. 5 while he was in the Shelby County Jail at 201 Poplar Ave.

The Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office is reviewing all prior cases involving the five officers charged in the death of Tyre Nichols.

The request is under consideration, but Hemphill has not yet been decertified. 

After Memphis Shelby Crime Commission’s juvenile crime forum, 250 attendees showed strong support for more community investment in programs for youths, more intensive supervision for certain offenders and salary increases for detention center employees, according to a survey.

Demetrius Haley is one of six officers who have been fired from the police department and one of five who have been charged with second degree murder and other charges related to the death of Nichols. 

Related stories: 

Alleged victim of SCORPION unit files $5M lawsuit against city, MPD officers

More MPD officers under investigation in Nichols’ death

The lawsuit was filed Tuesday, Feb. 7, by Monterrious Harris, 22, with the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee. 

Memphis Police Chief C.J. Davis told Memphis City Council members that the total number of officers now facing internal police charges is 13.

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Former MPD Officer Demetrius Haley took photos of Tyre Nichols after beating

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office said a video of the incident was discovered on social media.

The unusually long committee discussion comes with six ordinance proposals that would reform police policies and begins with what are expected to be lots of questions for Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis.

New GPS technology can be expensive, but it’s one way police are reducing the need for high-speed chases.