Opinion: Build safer communities with opportunity, not officers
The data does not show that we need more police to become a safer city. Police experts will tell you: It is more about how you use police officers, rather than how many you have.
Topic: Memphis Police Department
RSSThere are 779 article(s) tagged Memphis Police Department:
-
August 2020
-
-
MPD fixing troubles in Sex Crimes Bureau – but not the ‘bid system’
This week, the Institute for Public Service Reporting at The University of Memphis, in partnership with The Daily Memphian, reveals the results of its exclusive investigation into how more than 12,000 rape kits went untested and the impact that backlog has had on victims.
When the Memphis Police Department confirmed in 2013 the discovery of an estimated 12,000 older rape kits, many never tested for DNA, Susanna Parkinson refused to refer to the long-ignored evidence as a “backlog.” Instead, Parkinson, who worked closely with MPD as a longtime sexual assault intervention specialist and victim advocate at the Rape Crisis Center, called it “The Mess” — a collection of haphazardly stored and discarded evidence, poor decisions, missed chances and even wanton indifference to sexual assault.
-
Investigating ‘The Mess': Debby’s Journey
Beginning today, the Institute for Public Service Reporting at The University of Memphis, in partnership with The Daily Memphian, reveals the results of its exclusive investigation of “The Mess," the Memphis Police Department's mishandling of 12,000 rape kits.
-
Investigating ‘The Mess’ : Memo jogs ex-cop’s memory
A retired manager of the Memphis Police Department’s property and evidence room confirms sex crime records destruction in 1990’s purge.
-
-
July 2020
-
Rape Kits promo: Investigating ‘The Mess’
Beginning Monday, the Institute for Public Service Reporting at The University of Memphis, in partnership with The Daily Memphian, reveals the results of its exclusive investigation into how thousands of rape kits went untested and the impact that backlog has had on victims.
-
City HR officer: ‘We were wrong’ about residency
We told anyone who would listen that to help drive down violent crime in our city, we needed to recruit 2,300 officers to the Memphis Police Department by the end of this year. A new study shows MPD needs more than 2,800 police officers to patrol the streets of Memphis.
-
W.D. Merritt, former MPD homicide detective, remembered as ‘true hero’
Family members on social media attributed the retired homicide detective’s death to COVID-19 complications. He was 56.
-
After youth ‘stampede,’ Golf & Games cutting hours, adding security guards
Memphis Police were called to Golf & Games Family Park at 5484 Summer Ave. on Saturday after youths stampeded and vandalized the business. Large crowds led to the business closing early.
-
Off-duty Memphis police officer shot while working security at St. Jude
An off-duty Memphis police officer was shot as he attempted to stop two men breaking into cars near St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, where he worked security. He is recovering from his injuries.
-
‘Taser Face': MPD officer’s repeated use of stun gun prompts excessive force investigation
A Memphis police officer's repeated use of a Taser headlines more questions about use of force at MPD and why the agency isn't referring cases for prosecutorial review.
-
Handcuffed prisoner pepper sprayed by MPD, denied prompt medical care
A handcuffed prisoner is pepper sprayed in the face by an MPD officer in another case not referred to prosecutors to consider criminal charges.
-
DeCarcerate Memphis calls for transparency in federal law enforcement initiative
DeCarcerate Memphis, a task force made up of criminal justice advocates and others, formed to demand transparency and accountability of the federal Operation Relentless Pursuit initiative launched in January in the city. The initiative includes a federal task force to fight violent crime.
-
Opinion: MPD makes 98% of arrests ‘without incident.’ Why was Brandon Webber’s different?
Sometimes it seems our memory is as selective as our outrage. Black men are taken into custody every day without incident. Two young Black men accused of killing Memphis police officers – Tremaine Wilbourn and Justin Welch – were arrested without incident.
-
Does MPD seek review when officers go over the line?
Questions surface as city officials limit access to police brutality files and sidestep requests for comment regarding excessive force.
-
Memphis homicides up 30%, on pace for record year
Memphis police report a 30% increase in homicides this year compared to same period last year.
-
Black clergy oppose police residency referendum as insufficient
African American clergy call for residency requirement for public safety to be taken off the November ballot. They don't think the measure will help bring about the police reform for which they are pushing.
-
Exclusive Investigation: Prosecutors say MPD failed to refer police beating of prisoner for criminal review
The manual search through Memphis Police Department's excessive-force investigations is a slow and tedious process. But a recent search uncovered a file on the 2015 police beating of a suspect that reportedly wasn't referred to the Shelby County District Attorney's Office for review of the officers' conduct.
-
-
June 2020
-
First 12 days of protests in 12 photos
Daily Memphian photojournalist Patrick Lantrip takes a look at the first twelve straight days of protests over the death of George Floyd through 12 photos on the one-month anniversary of the first day of protests in Memphis.
-
Fireworks complaints increase exponentially over four-day period
The number of fireworks complaints in Memphis between June 18 and June 22 jumped from just eight complaints last year to 238 this year.
-
Consent decree hearing ends with ruling to come later
The consent decree modification trial ended after four days. Judge will enter his decision on the modification request from the city at a later date.
-
Consent decree prevents gang unit from doing its job, head says
The consent decree hearing in which the city is pushing to update a 42-year-old document continued into its third day Friday with testimony from the head of the Multi-agency Gang Unit.
-
From premium to basic: So you want to defund the Police Department?
Let us not use the death of George Floyd as an opportunity to scapegoat and launch an unfair assault on an entire profession. I’ve spoken to police officers. They too are disturbed and hurt by that tragic event.
-
Daily Memphian records request inspires resolution to improve MPD transparency
Memphis City Council member JB Smiley is pushing a resolution to urge Mayor Jim Strickland’s administration to put data, complaints and other information regarding police misconduct and use of force on the city’s website.
-
Strickland: MPD funding should not be cut
The Memphis City Council is considering four proposals in response to the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody and calls for law enforcement reform nationally since Floyd’s death.
-
A veteran supports demilitarizing police
'With 17 years of experience with military equipment, I can tell you that most police departments don’t have the experience and level of training needed to operate this equipment properly.'
-