2023-01-31 12:54:27

“Elite” Police Units Face More Scrutiny as Memphis SCORPION Unit Disbanded over Tyre Nichols Death

Memphis police have revealed a sixth and a seventh officer have been placed on administrative leave in addition to the five fired officers over the death of Tyre Nichols, after Nichols was brutally beaten at a traffic stop. On Saturday, Memphis disbanded the police unit responsible for the killing, known as SCORPION, which stood for “Street Crimes Operation to Restore Peace in Our Neighborhood.” We look more closely at these so-called special police units in cities nationwide that operate with little oversight with investigative reporter Radley Balko, author of “Rise of the Warrior Cop: The Militarization of America’s Police Forces” and of the criminal justice newsletter, The Watch. His opinion piece for The New York Times is headlined “Tyre Nichols’s Death Proves Yet Again That 'Elite' Police Units Are a Disaster.”

Democracy Now! produces a daily, global, independent news hour hosted by award-winning journalists Amy Goodman and Juan González. Our reporting includes breaking daily news headlines and in-depth interviews with people on the front lines of the world’s most pressing issues. 

On DN!, you’ll hear a diversity of voices speaking for themselves, providing a unique and sometimes provocative perspective on global events.

Missed an episode?  Check out DN on FSTV VOD anytime or visit the show page for the latest clips.

#FreeSpeechTV is one of the last standing national, independent news networks committed to advancing progressive social change. 

#FSTV is available on Dish, DirectTV, AppleTV, Roku, Sling, and online at freespeech.org.

 

Democracy Now! memphis police Radley Balko Rise of the Warrior Cop: The Militarization of America’s Police Forces SCORPION Street Crimes Operation to Restore Peace in Our Neighborhood. Tyre Nichols

Politics

The Rick Smith Show

The Rick Smith Show | Project 2025 in Action

The Rick Smith Show | Project 2025 in Action

FSTV Speaks

FSTV Speaks | Rebuilding Hope Into Action

FSTV Speaks | Rebuilding Hope Into Action

The Stephanie Miller Show

The Stephanie Miller Show | Calling Out Hypocrisy

The Stephanie Miller Show | Calling Out Hypocrisy

The Rick Smith Show

The Rick Smith Show | The Left’s Messaging Needs to Reach More People

The Rick Smith Show | The Left’s Messaging Needs to Reach More People

Related

Democracy Now!

Democracy Now! | Voices for Peace: Israelis and Palestinians Unite

Democracy Now! | Voices for Peace: Israelis and Palestinians Unite

Democracy Now!

Democracy Now! | U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley on Project 2025

Democracy Now! | U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley on Project 2025

Democracy Now!

Democracy Now! | Counter-Demonstrators Spark Over 100 Arrests Amid Protest

Democracy Now! | Counter-Demonstrators Spark Over 100 Arrests Amid Protest

Exciting Spring Schedule Changes on Free Speech TV!

Exciting Spring Schedule Changes on Free Speech TV!

Proud Partners