Image Credit: Senator Brent Taylor / Facebook & Canva
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) concluded an investigation requested by two Tennessee legislators into the Memphis Police Department’s (MPD) crime reporting data, confirming the numbers showing a significant decrease in crime to be legitimate.
After Republican lawmakers Sen. Brent Taylor and Rep. John Gillespie received complaints about how MPD was tracking crime statistics, they sent a letter to the TBI requesting an unannounced audit of the data, citing concerns MPD was reclassifying some felonies as misdemeanors to artificially promote “historically low” crime rates.
Now, the state agency has completed its investigation, saying it reports no significant findings. Sen. Taylor called the report “good news” and said it means “we can trust the significant drop in crime since the FBI’s Operation Viper started last Spring and the Memphis Safe Task Force arriving in September.”
He elaborated, “Since the Task Force arrived, we have seen a 45% drop in overall crime, including 71% drop in motor vehicle theft, 62% drop in robbery, drop in armed robbery, 49% drop in murder, 44% drop in sexual assault, 450 stolen vehicles recovered, and 121 missing children found. There have been about 3500 arrests and over 39,000 traffic stops. This is how we restore law and order in Memphis!”
These statistics are confirmed by the U.S. Marshals Service, which reported 3,607 total arrests, including 368 gang members, 122 missing children located, and 551 firearms seized as of Dec. 4.
With the confirmation that the city is in fact experiencing a drop in overall crime, MPD has reiterated its narrative that crime was already at a 25-year low even before the Memphis Safe Task Force arrived and that it has dropped even further since.
Many Democrats used the lower crime statistics to argue against the formation of the task force earlier in the year, specifically the deployment of the National Guard to the city, but the continued and dramatic decrease in crime since the task force’s arrival suggests the historic lows may not have been possible without it.
“Now that we know MPD’s crime data are accurate, the public can be reassured that the historic drops we are seeing are real. And we should be overjoyed! Pay close attention to who is partnering and celebrating the success and who is making excuses and not seizing this unprecedented opportunity to Make Memphis Safe,” said Taylor.
He concluded his statement by turning focus to the Democrat Shelby County District Attorney, whom he continues to press for accountability and transparency about the number of cases stemming from task force arrests the DA may be downgrading or dismissing.
Taylor hopes his Memphis Safe Task Force Accountability Act will disincentivize District Attorneys from putting offenders back onto the streets and create parameters to assure proper prosecution for arrests made by the task force.
The bill will be considered when the General Assembly reconvenes in January for the 2026 legislative session.
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
