MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland officially introduced Michael Rallings as the permanent Memphis Police Director Monday morning.
Rallings had been the interim director since Feb. 1 after Toney Armstrong left the position.
Strickland officially appointed him to the position Sunday, and Rallings accepted.
The appointment is not official until it is approved by the city council, which Strickland does not expect to be a problem.
To those who say Strickland wasted money on a national search, he disagrees, “I’m glad I conducted a national search because it showed me Mike Rallings is the best-qualified candidate in the entire country for this job.”
Strickland interviewed the six recommended candidates Wednesday following a national search. Panels representing law enforcement, the community, city administration, and civic leaders helped with the hiring process.
Panels representing law enforcement, the community, city administration, and civic leaders helped with the hiring process.
Rallings said he plans to increase his outreach to the youth of Memphis from mentoring and tutoring to recruiting them to be police officers.
He also let parents and families know they play a role in reducing crime, “Mothers, ants, uncles, brothers, and sisters; you cannot stand idly by and watch your loved one post threats, pose with pistols and rifles, prop money and dope on Facebook. You cannot know that your child has a stash of guns and dope and money in your house and a wreaking havoc in your neighborhood and think that is OK. That is not OK; that is not acceptable.”
When it comes to preventing crimes, including murder, Rallings said we all play a role, “The police were not in my home. Mamma and daddy was the police. And I said that exactly how I meant it to come out. My ants and uncles were the police. The kids in the neighborhood were the police because we all know the difference between right and wrong. So I’m not going to stand up here and let folks but that all on the police department.”
Rallings has been on the force since 1990 and has worked his way on from patrolman. His previous roles include deputy chief, Mt. Moriah Station commander, training academy commander and firearms training unit commander. He is also an Army veteran.
His previous roles include deputy chief, Mt. Moriah Station commander, training academy commander and firearms training unit commander. He is also an Army veteran.
He is also an Army veteran.
During his time as interim director, Rallings led the department through the death of Officer Verdell Smith, coordinated the response to the July protests on and near the I-40 bridge and helped put together the next year’s budget. He has also been at the helm of the restructuring of the MPD command staff, Multi-Agency Gang Unit, and Organized Crime Unit.
“I thank God for the great opportunity to lead the Memphis Police Department,” Rallings said. “I thank Mayor Strickland for appointing me, and I look forward to continuing to work with him on the goal we share to provide for public safety.”
