Federal & State Public Safety Support in Memphis
In Memphis, we rise to every challenge. Since January 2024, crime has fallen by double digit percentages — the result of focused policing, strong community based partnerships, and the resolve of our people. My responsibility as mayor is to ensure that every new resource strengthens our neighborhoods, supports our families, and builds on that progress. Our goal is to ensure that the state and federal efforts coming to Memphis are guided by one purpose: to uplift our community and accelerate a safer, stronger future. This is our moment to show the world the truth about Memphis. We are a city that rises, a city that leads, and a city that defines itself not by challenges, but by our culture, innovation, and hope. ~ Mayor Paul Young
Overview: People & Resources
Who is here: This is a multi-agency initiative, with Members of the National Guard,Highway Patrol Officers, and agents from 13+ federal agencies.
Expressed Goals of the Federal Action are as follows
- End violent and street crime in Memphis through the new Memphis Safe Task Force.
- Strengthen coordination between federal, state, and local partners.
- Enforce quality-of-life violations more consistently.
- Support MPD recruitment, retention, and capacity.
- Increase law enforcement presence, with National Guard support if needed.
- Provide ongoing oversight and report progress to the President. (Additional information can be found here Presidential notice of the action.)
How long: The Memphis action is presented as a sustained campaign, rather than an emergency takeover as was ordered in DC. This mission includes many local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
The Tennessee National Guard is playing a supporting role, acting as a force multiplier, supporting Memphis Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies on the ground.
The Memphis Safe Task Force began operations the week of 9/29, with Tennessee National Guard patrols beginning 10/10.
Where: This is a city-wide initiative.
What This Looks Like in Memphis
National Guard: Serving as extra “eyes and ears” in our neighborhoods, assisting local, state, and federal agencies.
Federal Agencies: Providing specialized support, ranging from crime prevention to blight reduction to homelessness services.
List of Federal Agencies named in the President’s order:
- Department of the Treasury
- Department of War (i.e., DoD / the military side)
- Department of Justice
- Department of Health and Human Services
- Department of Housing and Urban Development
- Department of Transportation
- Department of Homeland Security
- United States Marshals Service
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
- Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
- U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee
Identification: Guardsmen and women will be easily identifiable in their standard uniforms that they wear every day.
The guardsmen and women will not be wearing masks.
Armored tanks will not be a resource used in this mission.
Role: All resources are here to assist with and support local priorities.
The Tennessee National Guard will provide additional eyes and ears, supporting Memphis Police Department who will continue to manage public safety in the city.
Per the Presidential Memorandum, the guardsmen and women will be deputized by the U.S. Marshals.
Guardsmen and women will not make arrests or issue warrants.
FAQ'S
| Emergency or crime in progress: | Call 911 |
| Suspicious activity or non-emergency police matter: | Call 901-545-2677 (MPD Non-Emergency Line) |
| City services like blight, trash, potholes, dumping, and beautification concerns: | Call 311 or use the 311 app |
| Mental health crisis: | Call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) |
| Help with food, housing, utilities, or social services: | Call 2-1-1 (LINC 211) — connects you to local resources for basic needs, family support, mental health, senior services, legal aid, and more. |
| Questions about National Guard or federal support in Memphis: | Email Darren Goods at the Joint Office of Neighborhood Safety & Engagement: [email protected] |
| To register your home or business camera: | Visit Connect2Memphis |
You may see them throughout the community, but their role is to provide support, not to act as frontline police.
In Memphis, police checkpoints are only allowed if they follow strict state rules. By law, the Memphis Police Department must give the public meaningful advance notice of when and where checkpoints will take place. This usually happens several days before through a press release. Notices will include the general location, the time window, and the purpose (such as DUI or seatbelt enforcement).
Guardsmen and women will be easily identifiable in their standard uniforms that they wear every day.
The guardsmen and women will not be wearing masks.
Armored tanks will not be a resource used in this mission.
Your rights remain the same. You can always request an officer’s or Guard member’s name and badge number.
The Tennessee National Guard will provide additional eyes and ears, supporting Memphis Police Department who will continue to manage public safety in the city. Guardsmen and women will not make arrests or issue warrants.
You can share experiences or concerns as follows:
MPD by contacting the MPD Internal Affairs Bureau at (901) 636-4966
National Guard through the Tennessee National Guard Public Affairs Office at (615) 313-0662, or through the State Inspector General, who investigates misconduct within Guard operations at (615) 313-0558
U.S. Department of the Treasury Website
Department of Defense Learn More
U.S. Department of Justice Website
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Website
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Website
Department of Transportation (DOT) Website
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Website
U.S. Marshals Service Website
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Website
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Website
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Website
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Website
U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee Website
Progress & Transparency
Overall Crime
↓ 13% in 2024
↓ 16% in September 2025
Part 1 Crime
↓ 18% in 2024
↓ 23% through September 2025
Homicides
↓ 30% in 2024
↓ 22% through September 2025
Downtown Crime
↓ 33% in 2024
↓ 32% through September 2025