MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Memphis Shelby Crime Commission pushes to help recruit officers to help combat crime.

“You know we’re all in this fight together, you know to combat crime,” said John Covington, Vice President of the Memphis Police Association.

The Memphis Shelby Crime Commission says statistics show that the more Memphis Police officers on the force, the less crime is committed. 

The official goal set by the city council is 2,500 officers, almost reached in 2011, saying that was the best year in recent memory in terms of the violent crime rate. 

“Here we are with 1,903 officers as of today, one of the lowest points we have ever been, and violent crime, sadly, is some of the highest it’s ever been,” said Covington.

Covington says that at least having a police presence visible helps deter criminals, but another long-term aspect is the ability for community policing. 

“Creating bonds with business owners, teachers, pastors, parents, kids, you name it, and when you’re short, you’re just running from call to call to call, you don’t have the ability to build those relationships,” said Covington. “From those relationships comes trust, comes information, and so it all kinda compounds in a positive way.”

One of the newest ways the MPD, MPA, and SCC have been pushing multiple efforts is by engaging community leaders to help recruit young people in Memphis to be police officers.

They’re asking for business leaders, clergy members to get involved. 

“Reach out and get a group of young people to come apply to the department, agree to kind of mentor them through that first year or so and if they graduate successfully through that program they will be given $1,000 to contribute to a local nonprofit or charity organization, something else that will help Memphis as well,” said Covington.

The MPA is still pushing for officers to receive a 5% raise. Click here for more information on police recruitment.