Memphis City Council Confirms C.J. Davis as Police Chief

News Summary

The Memphis City Council has officially confirmed C.J. Davis as Police Chief, removing her interim status after a year of scrutiny. The unanimous decision followed a year of significant changes under her leadership, during which crime rates declined. Despite this, concerns remain regarding community trust and the challenges highlighted by a recent DOJ investigation into civil rights violations within the department. Davis must now work to rebuild confidence among residents while addressing ongoing public safety issues.

Memphis City Council Makes a Big Decision on Police Leadership

Big news coming out of Memphis! The Memphis City Council has officially confirmed C.J. Davis as the Police Chief, solidifying her leadership after nearly a year of evaluation. This decision was made during a crucial council meeting on January 21, 2025, where the vote was unanimous, putting an end to her “interim” title.

A Journey of Evaluation

Davis’s path to confirmation hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing. Just a year ago, during a city council committee meeting in January 2024, council members almost voted her out, with a narrow 7-6 margin leaning toward her removal. The council decided to give her some time to prove herself, allowing her an entire year to demonstrate her leadership capabilities while delaying a second confirmation vote.

Throughout 2024, Davis set to work, implementing new deputy chiefs and colonels and focusing on increasing officer recruitment and retention efforts. Her strategy seems to have paid off, as the violent crime rates in Memphis have seen a decline during her tenure, which has been a promising sign for the community.

Support from Unexpected Places

Memphis Mayor Paul Young expressed his satisfaction with the unanimous vote for Davis, highlighting that she and her team are ready to tackle ongoing public safety challenges. This kind of support is vital, especially considering the backdrop of issues that the Memphis Police Department has faced.

Challenges Ahead

Improvement and Hope

“heartbreaking.”

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Additional Resources

• Commercial Appeal
• Fox13 Memphis
• Local Memphis
• Action News 5
• Wikipedia: C.J. Davis