MEMPHIS, Tenn., April 16, 2024. Mayor Paul Young has appointed Darren M. Goods as the City of Memphis’ new Public Safety Advisor, a key leadership role that reports directly to the Mayor and will oversee the Group Violence Intervention Program (GVIP) and the Joint Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (JONSE). Goods’ position is funded in part by the Crime Commission’s Business Roundtable – as part of a public private partnership to reduce crime in Memphis.
Goods brings more than 35 years of law enforcement and juvenile justice leadership to the role, having most recently served as Deputy Commissioner of Juvenile Justice for the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (DCS). Before joining DCS in 2021, he dedicated more than three decades to the Memphis Police Department (MPD), rising to the rank of Colonel and serving as Commander of the Investigative Services Bureau before retiring in 2020.
“Darren Goods is not only a seasoned law enforcement leader but a mentor, innovator, and community servant,” said Mayor Paul Young. “His deep understanding of public safety and his proven commitment to youth and community engagement will be an asset to our administration as we work to make Memphis safer and stronger.”
As Public Safety Advisor, Goods will lead the City’s efforts to align enforcement strategies with community-based violence intervention and prevention initiatives. His leadership will help drive collaboration across agencies, nonprofits, and neighborhoods to deliver data-driven solutions that build safer, healthier communities.
“Darren’s long tenure with the Memphis Police Department gives him a wealth of knowledge about crime in our community and how to tackle it from an enforcement standpoint. His service as Deputy Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services has given him hands-on experience with prevention and intervention steps as well,” said Bill Gibbons, president of the Crime Commission. “We are fortunate to have Darren in this vitally important position.”
During his tenure with MPD, Goods served in and led multiple specialized units, including the Homicide Bureau, the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, the Organized Crime Unit Major Violators Team, and the Violent Crimes Unit (VCU), which he developed and launched. He also served as Operations Commander for the Multi-Agency Gang Unit. Outside of law enforcement, Goods has invested in Memphis youth for decades. He founded and coached the Memphis Panthers Youth Basketball team for over 10 years, and previously served on the Criminal Justice Advisory Committee for LeMoyne-Owen College, where he earned his degree in Criminal Justice with Cum Laude honors.
A proud veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and graduate of the FBI National Academy, Goods is well-positioned to serve as a strategic advisor to the Mayor’s office on matters of crime reduction, youth intervention, and public trust.
“Public safety is about more than enforcement—it’s about leadership, trust, and community,” said Goods. “I’m honored to join Mayor Young’s team and to serve the city that shaped me.”
Media Contact:
Arlenia Cole, Media Affairs Manager, City of Memphis
[email protected]
901-569-1971