Officers who beat Tyre Nichols were part of SCORPION unit. Here's what to know.

Contributing sentiments towards policy:

45% : Why specialized units can morph into 'uncontrolled policing'Philip Stinson, criminal justice professor at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, said the purpose of saturation units is often to make police presence known and intimidate residents by "swarming into an area, being visible and taking quick action to make many arrests."
37% : If officers are in plainclothes or use unmarked cars, they "may feel they have cover of anonymity in order to conduct misdeeds," said Keith Taylor, adjunct assistant professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
34% : NEXTMemphis, Tennessee, law enforcement officials released disturbing footage of the fatal police beating of Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man who died three days after a traffic stop on Jan. 7.
33% : FOOTAGE RELEASD: Video shows Memphis police violently beating Tyre Nichols in traffic stopLoad ErrorFamily of Tyre Nichols demands SCORPION unit be disbandedAntonio Romanucci, Nichols' family attorney, said SCORPION and other specialized police units target the "most vulnerable" as he called on law enforcement agencies nationwide to examine their saturation units.

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