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Slow-going on police community action units rile Council members

by James Coleman —

Memphis Police Department Director Michael Rallings on Tuesday (Jan. 5) defended the slow implementation of the revival of COACT (community action) units, one of the recommendations of the Public Safety Task Force, blaming the COVID-19 pandemic for creating staffing shortfalls. 

“At this current time, we are unable to do something different with our COP unit. At best, we could staff two COACT units. Right now, due to the shortage of officers and supervisors, it’s just not practical,” Rallings told Memphis City Council members.

The department, which currently has a staff of 2,032 officers, has been severely impacted by the virus. According to Rallings, 1,069 officers or civilians have been quarantined since the pandemic began. There are currently 154 in quarantine or isolation. 

COACT was once widely used by the department. The program was disbanded and 16 were shut down in 2011 after they were found to be improperly maintained.  The two units currently operating are in the Orange Mound and Hollywood neighborhoods.

Recommendations call for the program’s expansion into areas such as South Memphis and Frayser. 

The task force, which is led by Councilwoman Rhonda Logan, includes representatives from the City Council, the Police and Fire Departments, police union members, activists and the city’s Chief Human Resources Officer. 

The recommendations came at the request of the city administration.

The list also calls for an increase in staffing for the department, which also hasn’t happened. The increase is supposed to be covered by the current budget. 

Previously, the department and council had hashed out an agreement of three COACT units until staffing could be increased.

“You approved a complement of 2,500 police officers. So, every challenge we have comes back to a staffing issue. I would ask you to continue to support us in our efforts to hire and retain police officers so we could do the community policing that you want us to do.

“Staffing challenges us because we spend most of our time trying to make complement; just putting enough officers in a seat to answer calls for services. We spend $25 million a year on that effort to make up for a staffing shortage,” Rallings said.

Councilmembers, however, were not in the mood for excuses, whether they are staffing or pandemic-related.

“To say that there is a pandemic and we are low on staffing and all of that, to me is not a good response, because you can still do it. There are things the police can do and we continue to suggest it,” said Councilwoman Jamita Swearengen. 

“We are going to have to become a little broader in our thinking. But it can be done because it’s more impactful and will certainly make a difference. To say we are in a pandemic and we are low on totals, that is inexcusable.”

She cited social workers, counselors and police service technicians as examples of support workers that could lessen the workload on police officers.

Due to the pandemic, the mission of the department has changed to COVID response and food distribution. The George Floyd-inspired protests also diverted manpower.

Logan said, “I do understand that COVID is impacting that somewhat, but you are going to have to rework something out to make this happen or start with what you have and phase the other ones in. But just to say I don’t have enough staff, I agree with Councilwoman Swearengen, that is unacceptable.” 

Nevertheless, Rallings, who is scheduled to retire in April, stood his ground.

“We are fully committed to implementing the resolution you passed. What I am telling you is, today, we are unable to do it. The numbers matter. When I am missing personnel, the numbers matter.”

 

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