Mayor plans to reappoint Davis as police chief

Melissa Moon
·2 min read
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UPDATE: Memphis City Council member Jerri Green says her vote against Davis being chief has not changed and there are still issues with crime, shootings, etc.

However, Councilman JB Smiley says, “I know public safety and crime are top of mind for everyone who calls our city home. With that in mind, I am committed to listening to the citizens of Memphis in hopes that there is a consensus around which direction we should take as it relates to the role of police chief.”

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MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Mayor Paul Young hopes to remove the “Interim” in front of Police Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis’ title soon.

Representatives with the city and the mayor’s office confirmed Wednesday that Young intends to reappoint Davis to the permanent chief’s position after the budget season, which ends in June. She has been serving in an interim capacity since January.

The move would require approval from City Council, a city spokesperson said.

Davis was previously police chief under Mayor Jim Strickland, but faced opposition from some on City Council when Mayor Paul Young asked to reappoint her to the post after he took office in January.

C.J. Davis to stay as interim Memphis Police chief after council tables vote

Davis had been under heavy scrutiny since the beating death of Tyre Nichols, and amid concerns about the rising level of violent crime across the city under her leadership.

A City Council vote on Young’s recommendation to reappoint Davis failed when 7 of 13 members voted no.

That led Young to suggest to a council committee that Davis serve as the interim chief to see what effect she could have on crime, policy, and community engagement.

The reappointment vote was then postponed.

“We are in a crisis right now. Not just the reality of crime but the perception of crime. My goal is to resolve the chaos,” Young said in January. “My support for Chief Davis has not wavered — we’re going to use this time to show and prove.”

Young stood beside Davis later at the meeting — surrounded by audience members holding signs both for and against Davis — and said he understands that many in the community have doubts about Davis’ performance.

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