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Memphis police, Shelby County Sheriff's Dept. ask state lawmakers for harsher penalties on certain crimes

Memphis Police Chief C.J. Davis mentioned many crimes in her proposal, including reckless driving and much more.

MEMPHIS, Tennessee — Tuesday, state lawmakers heard firsthand from Memphis Police and the Shelby County Sheriff's Office on concerns they want them to address in the next legislative session.

The different law enforcement agencies shared a common theme as a two-day retreat wrapped up at the University of Memphis.

Memphis Police Chief C.J. Davis’s proposals to the Tennessee General Assembly’s Shelby County Legislative Delegation featured a call to enhance the penalty for violent crimes committed while wearing a mask. She gave examples such as carjacking, murder, aggravated assault, robbery and rape.

“It helps us to solve crimes a whole lot faster when people are discouraged from putting masks and things on,” Chief Davis said. “They can commit a crime and hide their identity.” 

But state Representative Karen Camper believes such a measure could create confusion.

Chief Davis is also asking for tougher penalties, including losing one’s car temporarily, for those guilty of drag racing and reckless driving.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office wants to see legislation where anyone who flees law enforcement would have their driver's license suspended for a year.  

“If you willfully flee, which is a felony, then this would give us another ability to hold you accountable with a different charge,” says Lt. Joseph Fox. 

Representative Camper said that while she may disagree with potential legislation to increase certain sentences, she supports the brainstorming, input and discussion by law enforcement ahead of the January session. 

Representative Camper did say she is in support of Chief Davis’s proposal to establish a Juvenile Justice task force and believes that is the ideal model for addressing crime issues.

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