Memphis Police Chief Touts Federal Task Force's Impact on Violent Crime

The Memphis Safe Task Force has helped drive a significant drop in violent crime since the surge of federal agents arrived in the city.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Memphis Police Chief CJ Davis said the Memphis Safe Task Force, made up of over 700 federal agents from various agencies, has helped drive a significant drop in violent crime in the city since arriving in late September. Data shows major violent crime rates dropped 27.6% compared to 2024, and the department's case clearance rate rose from 14.78% in 2024 to 19.12% in 2025. Davis credited the additional resources and manpower as a "resource multiplier" that has allowed officers to spend more time on investigations and in communities.

Why it matters

The Memphis Safe Task Force has drawn some opposition, with the nonprofit MICAH criticizing its immigration enforcement efforts as "inhumane." However, the police chief says the additional federal resources have been crucial in helping address the city's high violent crime rates, which have been an ongoing challenge for the Memphis Police Department.

The details

The Memphis Safe Task Force is made up of over 700 federal agents from the FBI, DEA, National Guard, ICE, Tennessee Highway Patrol and other agencies. They arrived in Memphis in late September to work alongside the city's 1,900 police officers. Data shows major violent crime rates dropped 27.6% compared to 2024, and the department's case clearance rate rose from 14.78% in 2024 to 19.12% in 2025. Police Chief CJ Davis said the additional resources have allowed officers to spend more time on investigations and in communities, describing it as a "resource multiplier." The department has also expanded its civilian workforce, hiring more data analysts and "techie, young people" to support the police force.

  • The Memphis Safe Task Force arrived in Memphis in late September 2025.
  • From January through September 2025, there was a 21.5% drop in major violent crime prior to the task force's arrival.
  • After the task force arrived, the major violent crime rate dropped even further to 27.6% compared to 2024.

The players

CJ Davis

The Memphis Police Chief who has touted the impact of the Memphis Safe Task Force on violent crime in the city.

MICAH

A nonprofit organization that has criticized the Memphis Safe Task Force's immigration enforcement efforts as "inhumane."

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What they’re saying

“It's almost like having a resource multiplier. I'm not going to use the word 'force.' I'm going to say a resource multiplier. More analysts, more investigators, more boots on the ground, when it comes to infiltrating drug-infested communities and other types of violent communities, gang violence and all of the above... So we appreciate the support. We've been asking for that level of support for a very long time.”

— CJ Davis, Memphis Police Chief (actionnews5.com)

The takeaway

The Memphis Safe Task Force's influx of federal resources and manpower has been a crucial factor in helping the Memphis Police Department drive down the city's high violent crime rates, though the task force's immigration enforcement efforts have drawn some opposition from local organizations.