For more than a year, Memphis United has been working to to strengthen our Civilian Law Enforcement Review Board, a body of community leaders tasked with reviewing complaints filed against MPD officers, when the complainant is not satisfied with MPD’s own internal Affairs investigation. In other Cities, boards with the strength of Subpoena power and the ability to compel officers to participate with the investigative process, have resulted in improved public perceptions of law enforcement and increased confidence in the process of filing a complaint.
Last May, the Memphis City Council passed a resolution empowering the Memphis United Coalitions to collect public input on ways to improve the effectiveness of CLERB and return recommendations to the Council. OnTuesday, February 17th, Memphis United will present these recommendations before the full Council during the public comment portion of the meeting (around 5PM), and urge them to support an amended ordinance to strengthen Memphis’ Review Board.
We will meet on the previous Monday (Feb 16th), 6-8PM at the Mid-South Peace & Justice Center to discuss our strategy moving forward in our campaign to ensure that Memphis has a truly transparent process that residents of residents have confidence in when their complaints against officers are not handled in a satisfactory manner by Internal Affairs.
How Can You Help?
Organizations can help support these efforts by signing on as a Coalition Partner of Memphis United. Please contact Organizing Coordinator, Paul Garner, paul@midsouthpeace.org for more details, and to RSVP if a member of your organization can attend one of our upcoming Organizing Meetings.
Individuals can make a big difference by calling their City Councilpersons and urging them to support Memphis United’s recommendations for a stronger, more just Civilian Law Enforcement Review Board. Make the call today, and then get your friends and family to do the same! (contacts below)
Bill Morrison, District 1
(901) 636-6786
Bill.Morrison@memphistn.gov
William C. Boyd, District 2
(901) 636-6786
bill.boyd@memphistn.gov
Harold B. Collins, District 3
(901) 636-6786
– or –
P.O. Box 301132
Memphis, TN 38130
(901) 545-5987 office
(901) 332-3691
Harold.Collins@memphistn.gov
Wanda Halbert, District 4
(901) 636-6786
Wanda.Halbert@memphistn.gov
Chairman Jim Strickland, District 5
(901) 636-6786
Jim.Strickland@memphistn.gov
Edmund Ford, Jr., Ed.D, District 6
(901) 636-6786
Edmund.Fordjr@memphistn.gov
Lee Harris, District 7
(901) 636-7010
Lee.Harris@memphistn.gov
Joe Brown, Super District 8, Position 1
1384 Jackson
Memphis TN 38107
(901) 274-4724
Joe.Brown@memphistn.gov
Janis Fullilove, District 8, Position 2
(901) 636-6786
Janis.Fullilove@memphistn.gov
Vice Chairman, Myron Lowery, District 8, Position 3
(901) 636-7016
Myron.Lowery@memphistn.gov
Kemp Conrad, Super District 9, Position 1
(901) 636-6786
Fax (901) 636-6796
Kemp.Conrad@memphistn.gov
Shea Flinn, Super District 9, Position 1
(901) 636-6786
Fax (901) 636-6796
Shea.Flinn@memphistn.gov
Memphis United is a coalition of grassroots organizations, community groups, and Memphis residents formed to confront structural and institutional racism. Currently we are focused on how these forms of oppression are woven into the fabric of our criminal justice system.
Current Coalition Partners include:
The Memphis Center for Independent Living, Homeless Organizing for Power and Equality, Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, LOUD, Subliminal Thought, The South Main Cypher Series, KPreShA Boutique, Memphis Bus Riders Union, Pro-Memphis Project, Manna House Memphis, ADAPT of Tennessee, The Bridge Newspaper and the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center.