The Memphis Police Division has disbanded a particular police unit linked to the demise of Tyre Nichols, a 29-year previous black man who was pulled over for an alleged site visitors violation earlier this month and fatally crushed by 5 officers.

The choice on Saturday follows the launch of harrowing video footage displaying the officers punching, kicking and hitting Nichols with a baton in scenes which have sparked a renewed debate over police brutality, racism and the necessity for reform.

Memphis police chief Cerelyn Davis mentioned she had listened to the Nichols household, group leaders and members of the so-called Scorpion police unit — from which the 5 officers charged over Nichols’ demise had been deployed — and deactivated it “in the most effective curiosity of all”.

The Road Crimes Operations to Restore Peace in Our Neighourbourhood unit was established in Memphis in 2021 to focus on violent offenders in areas of excessive crime.

“Whereas the heinous actions of some casts a cloud of dishonour on the title Scorpion, it’s crucial that we, the Memphis Police Division, take proactive steps within the therapeutic course of,” mentioned Davis.

She mentioned the division would take each measure doable to rebuild belief that had been negatively affected by the demise of Nichols.

Nichols, who was father to a 4-year previous son, died three days after being hospitalised following the beating delivered by 5 cops, who had been additionally black. The officers had been subsequently fired from their jobs and on Thursday indicted by a grand jury for second diploma homicide, amongst different prices.

The video footage launched on Friday night confirmed in graphic element how a police site visitors cease changed into a savage beating that led to the hospitalisation of Nichols and later his demise.

Nichols was recorded telling officers “I didn’t do something” as he was pulled from his automotive. After being pushed to the bottom — the place he was seen complying with officers’ requests — Nichols was proven operating away.

A separate video captured minutes later confirmed two cops holding Nichols from behind whereas a 3rd punched him a number of instances within the face earlier than a fourth beat him with a baton. Nichols is heard screaming “mother” repeatedly.

The discharge of the footage sparked issues amongst authorities that there may very well be a repeat of the nationwide riots and violent protests in opposition to police brutality following the homicide of George Floyd in Minneapolis in 2020.

Floyd, a black man, died after a white police officer knelt on his neck for greater than 9 minutes, an incident that was additionally captured on video.

However the demonstrations held in a number of US cities on Friday had been principally peaceable with solely a handful of arrests and a few minor incidents reported by authorities.

This adopted a public plea by Nichols’ dad and mom for “peaceable protests”.

“We wish peace. We don’t need any kind of uproar,” mentioned Rodney Wells, Nichols’ stepfather, who was flanked by civil rights leaders at a information convention.

Wells mentioned the household had been glad by the authorized course of to this point.