As questions grow about the National Guard and federal agents now operating in Memphis as part of the Memphis Safe Task Force, Mayor Paul Young and Police Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis joined the NAACP Memphis Branch Wednesday, Oct. 8, for a virtual forum aimed at separating fact from rumor.
The webinar, “A Safer Memphis for All,” was hosted by the Defending Democracy Together coalition and moderated by Deidre Malone, first vice president of the NAACP Memphis Branch and president of the National Women’s Political Caucus, along with Vickie Terry, executive director of the NAACP Memphis Branch.
The session was designed for citizens to hear directly from city leadership about what the state-mandated deployment means for Memphis, how it differs from similar federal operations in other cities and what residents can expect in the coming weeks.
A key clarification made early in the discussion was that the current deployment in Memphis is a state-mandated operation ordered by Gov. Bill Lee, not a federal occupation directed by Washington.
In Washington, D.C., federal law enforcement operates under direct U.S. authority, allowing national agencies to take the lead in local enforcement. In Memphis, however, the state called in National Guard personnel and authorized federal support through interagency partnerships. This means local and state officials remain in command, and the National Guard’s role is limited by Tennessee’s public-safety framework, not federal policing powers.
That distinction defines who sets priorities, how personnel interact with citizens and how accountability is maintained. It also ensures Memphis retains control of policy and procedures through city and state oversight rather than a federal chain of command.
Young acknowledged that opinions across the community are divided.
“There are people who support it and people who don’t,” he said. “My goal as mayor is to take the resources and find a way to get people the safety they deserve. We’ve done a good job reducing crime, but the reality is, it’s still too high.”
Young said the trauma families continue to face underscores why safety must be defined broadly.
“As we grapple with what’s happening, we have to think long term. How do we address mental health and trauma for people who have lived with violence too long?” he said.
He added that lasting safety will come from deeper investment in housing, mental health and youth opportunity.
Davis reiterated that MPD did not request the deployment but intends to use the added personnel strategically.
“Now that it’s here, we’re using it to our benefit,” she said. “More than 30 federal analysts are helping us with homicide warrants and cold cases so we can bring justice to families.”
She said the National Guard will not be conducting patrols or checkpoints.
“Their duties will include directing traffic and assisting in retail corridors,” Davis said. “We want to make sure this doesn’t feel like over-militarization in our neighborhoods.”
Addressing questions about increased traffic activity, Davis said residents will see more Tennessee Highway Patrol officers, a request Memphis has made for years.
“Any time a city leads the state in traffic fatalities, it’s appropriate,” she said. “They’re helping us slow reckless driving and reduce fatalities while other teams focus on violent crime and nuisance properties.”
Memphis has one of the highest traffic fatality rates among major U.S. cities, and Shelby County consistently leads Tennessee in traffic deaths. Officials said addressing dangerous driving is a key part of improving overall safety and reducing preventable trauma.
Davis also spoke directly to concerns about officer conduct, transparency and the department’s adherence to existing procedures.
“Our officers still abide by all our policies and procedures. We have special briefings with our officers so they understand that we will not deviate from the work we have continuously done by policy and procedure,” Davis said. “Not only will we continue to do that work but it is up to them to also be a part of documenting anything they see and intercepting anything they see so that we can notify federal officials.”
She emphasized: “We want to build trust. It is a goal that we have always had and will continue to work towards.”
She added that any questionable incidents involving federal agents will be reported to a Joint Operations Center led by U.S. Marshal Tyreece Miller, ensuring that citizens’ complaints are tracked and investigated.
“If someone can’t reach a federal representative directly, they can still call MPD,” Davis said. “We’ll make sure their report is logged and routed appropriately.”
Responding to fears within Hispanic communities about immigration arrests, Young said those actions fall under separate federal authority.
“We have worked with agencies to keep the focus on violent crime, we want every resident to feel protected,” Young said.
The mayor noted that immigration officials have jurisdiction and the authority to detain individuals who lack proper documentation.
In closing, Young said, “I do understand that there is significant fear in the community. The most important thing is ensuring your family and friends — everyone — is doing the right things and not committing crimes, because anybody that does engage in criminal activity, the likelihood of getting caught is very high,” he said. “We want to make sure that we are getting those who are committing crimes off our streets, and our goal is to do everything we can to keep the task force focused on that specific goal.”
Davis thanked the NAACP for helping provide accurate information.
“We know there are concerns,” she said. “Our commitment to reducing violent crime and following our policies hasn’t changed, and it won’t.”
The NAACP and Defending Democracy Together coalition plan additional town halls to keep residents informed as the deployment continues. The NAACP, in partnership with local organizations through Defending Democracy Together, has established a community hotline at (901) 206-2947 for residents to report issues related to the presence of federal personnel.
Young encouraged residents seeking accurate, updated information about the deployment to visit the city’s and NAACP’s online resources:
Safe & Clean – The City of Memphis
naacp.org/resources/did-you-know-deploying-national-guard
