SHELBY COUNTY, Tenn. — Memphis Police Chief CJ Davis is sticking around after a tumultuous year, one that saw a record-breaking number of homicides and the killing of Tyre Nichols by MPD officers. Memphians on Thursday found themselves understanding both sides of the decision.
“More training, more transparency and hopefully the supervision in the police department will be able to control their troops. Sometimes the troops get out into the field and the supervisor may or may not know,” said Memphian Stanley Tyler.
Tyler has lived in Memphis all his life. He doesn’t think the city’s problems are getting worse, just that they’re more easily recorded on video.
“We need the police...Let me get that straight. But we need a citizen review board with some teeth and some backbone. So when somebody files a complaint, they can look forward to something getting done,” he said.
Some people new to Memphis are more unsure. Ainsley Hurley recently moved to the Bluff City from East Tennessee.
“I feel like since moving, the crime has spiked, and I haven't even been here that long. Any kind of changes to lessen the crime would be great,” she said.
With Davis sticking around, Hurley wants stiffer penalties for criminals who’ve gotten busted.
“What I've been seeing is that if someone breaks into a store, they're not penalized enough to prevent them from doing it again,” she said.
The mayor-elect said Davis has "reassured" him that she is committed to her work, and that the two are already discussing plans to address crime.