MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP, abc24.com) - Memphis' police chief says officials have discovered thousands of memos containing crimes that have been left out of official statistics.
Police Director Toney Armstrong said Tuesday that officials found 79,000 memos written by officers from January 2006 through July 2011, many of which could have been criminal reports or investigations, according to The Commercial Appeal.
Officers can write memos when there isn't enough information at the time of an initial investigation.
However, Armstrong says a review showed hundreds of memos, possibly thousands, should have been made into "full-blown reports but weren't."
Armstrong was appointed in April. The discovery could cast doubt on the 15 percent drop the department reported in serious crime in Memphis under former director Larry Godwin.
Godwin is defending the crime numbers recorded under him.
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Information from: The Commercial Appeal,
http://www.commercialappeal.com
