MEMPHIS, Tenn — On Wednesday, Dec. 14, Mayor-elect Paul Young announced the Memphis Police Department (MPD) Police Chief Cerelyn "CJ" Davis will remain in her position when Young assumes office.
The mayor-elect told ABC24 Wednesday at a Memphis Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Peabody Hotel downtown, immediately after announcing his plans to fight crime with Davis and MPD.
Young said during the luncheon will lead the way on a "renewed energy" in the fight against crime as Memphis' top cop.
The announcement ends months of speculation Young might look elsewhere after Memphis' record-breaking crime in 2023 and controversy surrounding Tyre Nichols' death.
Young sat down with ABC24's Richard Ransom on Tuesday to discuss his plans with Davis once he takes office.
"We've had significant conversations," Young said. "I feel good about CJ and her ability to lead."
Davis has over 35 years of law enforcement experience. She began her position in Memphis in 2021, becoming the city's first female MPD chief.
"The most important thing is making sure that we have a police director that is committed to earning the trust and faith of the officers throughout this city that can inspire them and also earn the trust and faith of the citizens of this community," Young said.
The mayor-elect said shortly after winning the office he was going to sit down with CJ Davis to hear "where her head is" with the role of Memphis Police Chief, and her thoughts for the future.
Young also stressed the culture of MPD as a top priority of his when he was elected Mayor in October.
“We have some major issues that we want to address within MPD, the culture or subculture that led to the tragic incident of Tyre Nichols," Young said in October. "We want to make sure that that's rooted out, but we also want to make sure that there is transparency, that there's a restoration of trust and faith from the public and we want to make sure that the person at the top is leading that charge."
Davis has received praise for her handling of Tyre Nichols' death in January at the hands of officers in the SCORPION (Street Crimes Operation To Rescue Peace In Our Neighborhoods) Unit, but widespread criticism for her actions and policies that allowed incidents like Nichols' death to happen.
The SCORPION Unit, which was established under Davis's leadership, was formed with a focus on restoring peace in neighborhoods and reducing violent crime in hot spots across the city, according to MPD. However, it was disbanded following Nichols' death. The five officers involved were fired by MPD and charged with second-degree murder.
Earlier this year, Nichols' family filed a $550 million civil lawsuit against Chief Davis, the City of Memphis and the five officers involved in Nichols' death.
The $550 million lawsuit filed by Nichols' mother, RowVaughn Wells, blames officers for his death and accuses Davis of "turning a blind eye" to the SCORPION Unit's "aggressive style of policing" even before Nichols' assault.
Regardless, Young said Davis has "reassured" him that she is committed to her work. He also said he and Davis are already discussing plans to address crime.
"We are talking about what activities we can do in the very early stages of our administration to make sure we're having a significant impact on crime. And you'll hear and see more of those things in the coming days and weeks," he said. "I feel comfortable with her."
Paul Young will officially be appointed mayor on Jan. 1, 2023.