Fact Check: The five former Memphis officers were part of a crime suppression team called the Scorpion Unit, which was disbanded weeks after Tyre Nichols died.

Fact Check: "The five former Memphis officers were part of a crime suppression team called the Scorpion Unit, which was disbanded weeks after Tyre Nichols died."

What We Know

On January 7, 2023, Tyre Nichols was stopped by five officers from the Memphis Police Department (MPD) for alleged reckless driving. The officers, all members of the specialized SCORPION unit, used excessive force during the encounter, resulting in Nichols' death three days later from blunt force trauma, which was ruled a homicide ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Tyre_Nichols#:~:text=Tyre%20Deandre%20Nichols%20(June%205,His%20mother%20is%20RowVaughn%20Wells.), BBC). The SCORPION unit, which stands for Street Crimes Operation to Restore Peace In Our Neighborhoods, was established in October 2021 to address serious crime in Memphis. Following the incident and subsequent public outcry, the unit was disbanded on January 8, 2023, just one day after the officers were relieved of duty ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Tyre_Nichols#:~:text=Tyre%20Deandre%20Nichols%20(June%205,His%20mother%20is%20RowVaughn%20Wells.), NPR).

Analysis

The claim that the five former officers were part of the SCORPION unit is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The [Wikipedia entry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Tyre_Nichols#:~:text=Tyre%20Deandre%20Nichols%20(June%205,His%20mother%20is%20RowVaughn%20Wells.) on the killing of Tyre Nichols explicitly states that all five officers were members of this unit and details the timeline of events leading to its disbandment. Additionally, reports from BBC and NPR confirm that the SCORPION unit was disbanded shortly after Nichols' death, indicating a direct response to the incident.

The SCORPION unit was designed to target serious crimes, but its aggressive tactics have drawn criticism, especially in light of the Nichols case. The unit's disbandment reflects broader concerns regarding police practices and accountability, particularly in how specialized units operate in high-crime areas (NPR, AP News).

The sources used in this analysis are reliable, with Wikipedia providing a comprehensive overview and the BBC and NPR being established news organizations known for their journalistic integrity. The information aligns across these sources, reinforcing the accuracy of the claim.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that the five former Memphis officers were part of a crime suppression team called the SCORPION unit, which was disbanded weeks after Tyre Nichols died, is accurate. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms both the officers' affiliation with the SCORPION unit and the timeline of its disbandment following the tragic events surrounding Nichols' death.

Sources

1. [Killing of Tyre Nichols - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Tyre_Nichols#:~:text=Tyre%20Deandre%20Nichols%20(June%205,His%20mother%20is%20RowVaughn%20Wells.)
2. Tyre Nichols trial: Memphis police officers acquitted of murder charges ...
3. Judge recuses himself days before sentencing officers in Tyre Nichols ...
4. Memphis jury convicts ex-officers in Tyre Nichols death