MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis Police Department has reinstated a residency policy following its' removal from a previous version released on Friday.
ABC24 obtained the newest version of MPD's policy and procedures handbook, which shows that the residency policy has been put back in place.
Policy number DR128, now listed as residency requirement, reads that with the exception of MPD's chief, the City of Memphis will not take any adverse employment action against a first responder or applicant for a first responder role based on their residence.
"MPD employees who are not first responders must comply with the City's residency policy," the policy reads. "All members, including those who reside outside of Shelby County, must be able to report to work within two hours of notification to respond to an emergency or call out."
The change comes following a "draft" copy of the handbook was obtained by ABC24 on Friday which showed that the residency requirement was removed and a new criticism policy was instituted.
The now-deleted criticism policy read, "Employees shall not verbally or through any media criticize another MPD employee for any reason. Criticism shall not be used to slander or defame the reputation of any employee. This applies to all MPD employees regardless of their work assignment."
However, after contacted by ABC24 on Friday, a departmental email was sent out Saturday saying that the new handbook was a draft.
The email reads in full, "A draft matrix/P&P update containing draft policy DR 102 was disseminated before being reviewed by [human resources] and Legal. DR 102 will be removed from the matrix/P&P pending review. A corrected matrix/P&P will be disseminated on Monday."
These changes follow reporting by ABC24 on now-former MPD Assistant Chief Shawn Jones listing his primary residence and actively voting in Fulton County, Georgia.
Jones voted twice in 2024, most recently on May 21, 2024 in the Georgia general primary election with an early voting in-person ballot, according to Georgia voting records.
MPD officials did send a statement at the time confirming Jones residency is still in the state of Georgia, but that Tennessee state law does not permit restrictions on the residency of first responders.
Memphis Mayor Paul Young and MPD interim Chief Cerelyn 'C.J.' Davis announced Monday, July 8, that Jones employment with the department would end immediately and that his role in the department was never meant to be permanent.
Young did not say that Jones was fired, instead saying that he would no longer be employed with the city.
"We believe that he has done great work with the city, but it is time for him to move on," Young said.
