Pittsburgh Public Safety and Pittsburgh Police have issued a statement following the video that showed the violent beating of Tyre Nichols by Memphis Police that led to his death three days later.
Public Safety Director Lee Schmidt and Acting Police Chief Thomas Stangrecki’s joint statement says their “hearts are with the family and community of Tyre Nichols as they grieve their son, friend, brother and father; lost to senseless violence at the hands of those sworn to protect and serve.”
The statement also says Pittsburgh Police don’t have a street unit like the SCORPION, unit that was involved in the beating of Nichols.
The statement in full:
Our hearts are with the family and community of Tyre Nichols as they grieve their son, friend, brother and father; lost to senseless violence at the hands of those sworn to protect and serve.
What happened on January 7 was a violent, inexcusable failure by the officers involved.
The swift action of Tennessee law enforcement to investigate and charge those officers makes a strong statement, and sets an important precedent for the future of police accountability.
Additionally, we would like to thank all those who have gathered, and continue to gather, for exercising their right to protest peacefully.
Following the release of Friday's video, many have inquired whether Pittsburgh Bureau of Police has a unit similar to the Memphis "SCORPION Unit" that was involved in the death of Tyre Nichols and has since been deactivated.
The PBP does not have a street unit like SCORPION, which operated in a capacity to target "hotspot" areas. Such a unit will not have a place in the policies or philosophy of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police.
We continue our commitment to ensure fair, community-based policing, based in transparency and dignity for those we serve.