Opinion: Increased pay for MPD is ‘essential’ to lowering crime
John Covington is vice president of the Memphis Police Association. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)
John Covington
John Covington is a lifelong Shelby County resident. He spent nearly two decades teaching history at both the high school and college levels before entering law enforcement, where he has served in the Memphis Police Department for more than a decade. He is vice president of the Memphis Police Association, holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Memphis, and is active in local Republican politics.
Memphis Police Association Vice President John Covington writes , “There is an undeniable need for more officers, especially given the growing workload and escalating dangers that complicate our recruitment efforts.”
Related stories
Steady decline: What’s driving MPD officers away from the force
Officers leaving the force cite various reasons, including better pay and working conditions in other towns. One said, “We’re only reactive there (in Memphis), unfortunately, because crime has ballooned out so big, you can’t be proactive.”
Memphis Police Department withdraws from accreditation agency
MPD is no longer certified by the multinational organization that ensures its affiliate agencies meet standards on hiring practices, patrol strategies and more.
Memphis City Council: Why does MATA need to buy full-size buses?
“I can’t remember seeing a full bus,” Council member Dr. Jeff Warren said. “If we are not filling those buses up, why are we buying the big buses?”
Comments
Want to comment on our stories? If you’re a subscriber, scroll down to the comments. If you’re not a subscriber, only paid subscribers can add their thoughts, so subscribe now. Our commenting policy can be viewed here.