Memphis receives $6.1M grant to recruit, retain police

In addition to the grant money, the mayor announced his budget proposal will include 1 percent and 2 percent raises and additional bonuses for officers based on years of experience

By Jennifer Pignolet
The Commercial Appeal

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Memphis Shelby County Crime Commission issued a privately-funded, $6.1 million grant to the city of Memphis directed at recruitment and retention of police officers, officials announced Monday.

In addition to the grant money, to be used over a four-year period for bonuses, Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland announced his budget proposal to the city council will include 1 percent and 2 percent raises and additional bonuses for officers based on years of experience.

The announcement of incentives comes just weeks after Strickland called out the Memphis Police Association for launching a "harmful" billboard campaign trumpeting the city's record-high homicide tally in 2016 and officer shortage. Mike Williams, president of the union, declined to comment on whether the grant and Strickland's budget proposals were enough to offset concerns.

Full story: Memphis scores $6.1M grant to recruit and retain police