Violent crime is currently out of control. Historically, the only effective remedy has been a fully staffed police department. In 2011, Memphis had the highest number of officers (2,480) in its history and recorded its lowest ever violent crime rates.
As of today, we stand at a record low of 1,899 officers. Of those, 1,227 hold the rank of patrolman, and of those, 1,018 are assigned to precincts. The thin blue line gets thinner every day.
Our law enforcement recruitment faces challenges due to aggressive competition from local agencies. Agencies with lower call volumes, safer environments, and competitive pay are very appealing. Memphis officers respond to more than a million calls annually, compared to 152,000 for Shelby County and even lower numbers for Collierville and Germantown. Over the last five years, a nation-leading nine Memphis officers have lost their lives. This year, Memphis offered a 0% raise, dropping to third place in local pay.
Dangerous city
Memphis is undeniably a highly dangerous city…