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If you need Police Assistance call
901-545-COPS or 911 in the case of an Emergency

Memphis Police Department
201 Poplar Ave.
Memphis, TN
901-545-5700

 
 

Special Operations
The Memphis Police Department provides specialized police services to the Memphis Police Department and to the City of Memphis through Special Operations.

Deputy Chief: Steve Cole

Major:
Vernell Stepter

Special Operations



Special Operations Units include:

  • Air Support

  • Canine Squad

  • Metro DUI

  • TACT

  • Metro Gang Unit

  • Organized Crime Unit

  • Traffic

  • Mounted Patrol

  • Harbor Patrol

  • Reserve Bureau


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 Sheriff’s 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. 


If you have any questions about the MPD or Memphis feel free to email us at mpd@memphispolice.org


 
 

 
 

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Copyright 2004

 
 
 

CrimeMapper

Locate Crime Information
by Address or Intersection.
 


Police/Accident Reports

To Order a Copy of a Police Report
call 901-545-2650.

No Online reports
available at this time.
 
 

Traffic Tickets
 

For Ticket Fines or Court Information contact the Traffic Violations Bureau at  901-545-5450
or Email the TVB.