With credibility on the line for members of the Memphis Police Department’s now-disbanded SCORPION unit, attorneys anticipate mass dismissals of criminal cases filed against citizens arrested by the unit.
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. Alleged victim of SCORPION unit files $5M lawsuit against city, MPD officersRelated stories:
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. Former MPD Officer Demetrius Haley took photos of Tyre Nichols after beatingRelated story:
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.
The quick release of footage of the Tyre Nichols’ beating is an anomaly for MPD, which has not released video or other details in a series of officer-involved shootings since November.
Memphis Police Department footage shows more than 20 participants bursting into businesses in some recent burglaries.
Restrictive police pursuit policies are becoming the norm nationally and in the Memphis area. This means fewer crashes, fewer injuries and deaths. But some criminals know police probably won’t chase, so they get away.
Hemphill is the sixth MPD officer to be fired for violating police policies in the Jan. 7 death of Tyre Nichols. State board suspends 2 of 3 fired EMTs over failure to help Tyre NicholsRelated story:
Cleotha Henderson, aka Abston, was arraigned on multiple counts Friday, including a charge of first-degree murder in the killing of Eliza Fletcher.
Bishop Brandon Porter said the officer injured in Thursday’s shooting was also the director of security at his church. TBI confirms officer in critical condition after East Memphis shootingRelated story: