MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - Fed up with Memphis Police officers being arrested, a Mid-South faith-based group is going on the offensive, pushing MPD to implement seven suggestions.
The head of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Memphis presented the seven ideas to Memphis Police Director Toney Armstrong during a meeting Monday night.
"Our recommendations we believe will help have a better relationship between police and community and also minimize crime in our community," said Dwight Montgomery, President of SCLC Memphis Chapter.
The suggestions include more extensive background checks for new officers and additional psychological testing once they become officers. SCLC says it also wants more police sub-stations in major crime areas.
"It gives me a chance to make improvements where improvements can be made, and gives me a chance to get back and relay that information on how our community perceives our police department," Director Armstrong said.
Armstrong met with more than 50 concerned citizens at the meeting, and told the crowd many of the changes cost money, money the department doesn't have as it deals with constrained budgets.
Karen Spencer-McGee addressed the crowd, calling on better relations between police and the public.
"I hope that the police get the message that we are not going to stand for them to do our children any kind of way," she said.
SCLC says it hopes to meet with Memphis Mayor A C Wharton in the coming days to go over its suggestions.
