Opinion: Survey shows support for local police — and for hiring more of them

By , Guest Columnist Published: March 15, 2026 4:00 AM CT
Bill Gibbons
Guest Columnist

Bill Gibbons

Bill Gibbons is president of the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission and executive director of the Public Safety Institute at the University of Memphis. Previously, he was commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security and district attorney for Shelby County. He has also served on the Memphis City Council and the Shelby County Board of Commissioners.

“With strong overall positive feelings about local police coupled with a very strong desire for more officers, we need a major effort to recruit and retain people of good character and a sense of public service to be in local law enforcement.”

Topics

Guest Columns Bill Gibbons Memphis Shelby County Crime Commission Memphis Police Department Shelby County Sheriff

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