Cerelyn ‘C.J.’ Davis, chief of police in Durham, North Carolina, has been named to head the Memphis Police Department, becoming the first woman to lead the agency in its 194-year history.

Although Memphis has long battled perceptions (and reality) about its crime rate, community leaders say it’s not as much of a factor in economic recruitment efforts as one might expect.

Crime impacts neighborhoods across the city. From Frayser to Whitehaven, community leaders discuss how to address the problem and the causes that contribute to it.

Yolanda Johnson, who has been in the nail industry for 21 years, plans to open a school to help former ex-felons train to be entrepreneurs and start their own nail salons like she did.

The COVID-19 jail lawsuit has been settled but a recent jail inspection still found some issues at the facility at 201 Poplar. 

Lawsuit alleged Shelby County failed to address the spread of the coronavirus, putting medically vulnerable and disabled detainees at risk of contracting COVID-19.

Memphis Police Lt. Israel Taylor has been patrolling the streets of Memphis for 27 years. During a night on the streets, he discussed everything from the record-breaking number of homicides in Memphis last year to why he became an officer and remains on the job. 

Last year’s record 332 homicides in Memphis have taken a toll on those involved, from community activists to grieving parents to experts who struggle to come up with solutions to stem the violence.

Pervis Payne, a Shelby County man on death row for 33 years, has gained new supporters as a reprieve is set to expire and the state Supreme Court may set a new execution date. 

Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland announced Monday, April 5, that he is appointing police Deputy Director Mike Ryall as interim director effective immediately.

Social justice group seeks to be part of the discussion and decisions about police reforms and the selection of the next Memphis Police director.

ShotSpotter is being used by police departments across the U.S. to curb gun violence.

Memphis activist DeVante Hill, who was prominent in local protests last summer after the death of George Floyd, has been arrested on charges he violated terms of his probation related to a 2016 arrest for filing a false report.

Law enforcement, advocates and others react to the passage of permitless carry legislation approved by lawmakers that will allow handguns to be carried, either openly or concealed, without a permit as of July 1. 

They are accused of protesting outside Shelby County District Attorney Amy Weirich’s East Memphis home. About 40 demonstrators gathered July 4 and called for Weirich to be fired and for the release of jail detainees during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Memphis Police Department say interstate shootings are increasing and road rage is at the center of many of the incidents. And a permitless carry law could make the situation worse, officials fear. 

“I am just very alarmed that our state legislature is poised to pass permitless carry,” Rallings said. 

Memphis police made more than 300 arrests and seized guns and drugs ranging from marijuana to cocaine during Operation Winter Freeze 2, MPD Director Michael Rallings announced Tuesday, March 23.

The retired University of Memphis criminologist helped guide and develop the data-driven crime-fighting model.

Panelists made up of community leaders, law enforcement and city leaders spent Thursday interviewing seven finalists for the police director’s job. 

Some council members questioned why they, along with the public, will not get a chance to question the seven police candidates before Mayor Jim Strickland nominates one of them for the top police job. 

The seven finalists to be the next police director for the City of Memphis include two who were fired from previous jobs and one who quit by text. 

Matthew Bledsoe, who was charged with taking part in the U.S Capitol insurrection Jan. 6, has been indicted along with three other Tennessee men.