Air Support
The Air Support Division is often utilized by other MPD squads and
outside agencies in various types of operations. Helicopters flown
by Air Support include three Bell Jet Ranger helicopters and a
Eurocopter A-Star helicopter. Staffed 24 hours a day, this high
flying unit handled 1,466 calls for service in 2005 and was
instrumental in 286 arrests, 68 assist other agency calls, the
recovery of 55 vehicles and the eradication of marijuana plants.
Harbor Patrol
This unit is responsible for the safety and enforcement of marine
activities along the Mississippi River. The Harbor Patrol currently
has a 25 ft. Boston Whaler, 17 ft. Monarch, a Seadoo and a 10 ft.
Basshound Buddy Boat. During 2006, the officers assigned to the
Harbor Patrol handled 41 calls, 379 boat checks, 67 requests for
service from other agencies, issued 162 warnings, made 2 arrests,
handled 54 boat assists and rescued 14 people.
Canine Unit
This unit utilizes highly trained dogs who, along with their
handlers, make-up a unique team responsible for building searches
and suspect searches, as well as narcotic and explosive detection.
In 2006, the Canine Unit answered 4,335 calls, initiated 3,478
specials, and made 157 arrests.
Tact Unit
This elite unit, specially trained to respond to various emergency
situations, is responsible for handling barricade situations,
hostage rescues, counter terrorism, and high risk felony
apprehensions. While not subject to regular calls for service like
other units, the Tact Unit responded to 63 radio calls, initiated
14,482 specials, made 124 arrests, issued 454 tickets, and handled
15 barricade/hostage situations in 2006. The TACT Unit also
participated in 12 VIP Security Details, 34 Community Outreach
programs, and 14 gun seizures.
Mounted Patrol
Mounted Patrol performs a dual function within the department -
providing assistance with crowd control or traffic control and
providing positive community relations. As a unit these Mounted
Patrol officers and their mounts handled 62 community details and
186 patrol assignments in 2006.
Metro Gang Unit
The Street Crime Abatement Team (SCAT) combined in the fall of 2000
with the Shelby County Sheriffs Department to form the Metro Gang
Unit. The main focus of this new unit was criminal gang activity in
the Shelby County area. In 2005, the Metro Gang Unit was disbanded
and the MPD officers assigned to the Metro Gang Unit were
transferred to the Organized Crime Unit to focus on gangs and street
crime.
Officers in the Schools
The Officers in the Schools (OIS) Program assigns officers to 29
High Schools and 29 Middle and/or Jr. High Schools. The selections
of schools are decided with a team of MPD and MCS administrators.
The 44 officers assigned to the Memphis City Schools serve as
mentors, leaders, as well as volunteer their time for civic groups,
scouting troops, and various youth sports leagues. Since the Memphis
City School has commenced their Blue Ribbon Initiative Plan, the
Memphis Police Department OIS joined their efforts in 2006 reporting
a total of 2,355 arrests, issued 80 non-moving and moving tickets
and confiscated 99 guns and 100
knives, box cutters and razors.
Organized Crime
Unit
The Organized Crime Unit
is a multi-faceted self-sufficient
organization that serves the citizens of Memphis by actively
participating in multi-jurisdictional task forces to coordinate
the
attack on illegal drug trafficking operations at the local,
state, and federal level. The focus has shifted toward major
drug
investigations, vice enforcement, and the investigation of public
complaints of drug activity.
Drug Unit
During 2006, undercover Vice and
Narcotics officers were involved in 2,744 misdemeanor arrests and
1,336 felony arrests. Many of these arrests led to the
seizure of 261 vehicles, 290 handguns, and 50 long guns.
Vice Squad
Officers in this unit enforce state vice laws and city
ordinances that pertain to alcohol, gambling, prostitution, and
obscenity violations. During 2006 they initiated 1,753 vice arrests.
Reserve Bureau
The Reserve Bureau
is staffed by men and women who augment the current complement of
MPD officers on a daily basis. Reserve Officers are required to work
a minimum of 24 hours each month for a salary of $1.00 per year.
The financial, as well as service benefits provided by these Reserve
Officers to the Memphis Police Department and the City of Memphis
are substantial.
In 2006, the officers assigned to the Reserve Bureau worked 44,180
hours, issued 5,245 tickets, and made 345 arrests.
