MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Memphis Police Association (MPA) has filed a counterclaim against the City of Memphis after city officials filed a motion to vacate the ruling of arbitration after the decision leaned in the union's favor.
“It seems to be a lot of chaos right now within the department," John Convington, MPA vice president, said.
The arbitration ruling from March 9, 2024, found that Memphis Police Department officials violated the memorandum of understanding agreement with the MPA after creating a new field supervision rank: second lieutenant.
“One of the things that did was allow them to jump sergeant, which is our investigative position," Convington said. "But it also created a barrier for current sergeants who can no longer go straight to lieutenant. They have to be a second lieutenant.”
The lieutenant role requires seven years of experience, with two years as an investigator.
However, this second lieutenant role requires only five years of experience and no investigative background.
“Second lieutenant rank, to me, does not make the citizens of Memphis safer," Covington said. "Because at a time of major manpower shortages...you’ve taken boots off the ground right now. And so, we have less officers out there patrolling as a result. It’s imperative that we get this behind us, because I truly believe that the solution is more officers equals less crime, but that’s not all about arresting your way out of crime. When we had close to 2,500 officers, you had so much community policing.”