Nationwide Protests Call For , Police Reform , After the Death of Tyre Nichols.
On January 28, hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets of Memphis demanding justice, accountability and police reform.
NBC reports that the protests were driven by newly released body camera footage showing the brutal beating of Tyre Nichols at the hands of Memphis police.
Protestors voiced frustration over a long history of police violence, corruption and the need to disband several Memphis Police Department (MPD) tactical units.
On January 27, body camera video of police officers savagely beating Nichols, who died three days later, was released to the public.
The release of the footage taken on January 7 sparked protests across the U.S. .
Mostly peaceful demonstrations took place in a number of cities across the country, including in Atlanta, Boston and Charlotte, North Carolina.
.
Five police officers belonging to a police tactical unit were fired and now face charges of second-degree murder.
.
The Street Crimes Operation to Restore Peace in Our Neighborhoods, or SCORPION, tactical unit was also disbanded by the police department.
In the process of listening intently to the family of Tyre Nichols, community leaders, and the uninvolved officers who have done quality work in their assignment, it is in the best interest of all to permanently deactivate the SCORPION Unit, Memphis Police Department, via NBC.
NBC reports that the tactical unit was formed in 2021 as the city's murder rate was skyrocketing and the community was calling for action.
NBC reports that the tactical unit was formed in 2021 as the city's murder rate was skyrocketing and the community was calling for action
