Governor says new Tennessee highway troopers heading to Shelby County

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – Tennessee Governor Invoice Lee desires to rent 100 new freeway troopers, and he’s now rising what number of are deliberate to be dedicated to Shelby County.

“We’ve been asking the governor and he’s agreed to offer us extra troopers as a result of the extra the freeway patrol is on the interstates, the extra metropolis officers can concentrate on streets,” mentioned Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland.

The governor says he’s budgeting to rent 100 new troopers throughout the state.

“We initially dedicated 20 of these to Shelby County, however there will likely be greater than that after we end the coaching for these troopers,” Lee mentioned.

For months, Lee has been making an attempt to succeed in that 20-trooper threshold, however has fallen brief.

Strickland says the present quantity is 13, so hopes of exceeding the 20-trooper goal might appear out of attain.

On Wednesday, the governor launched a brand new Freeway Patrol Trooper recruitment video, highlighting two troopers who moved from California and New Mexico to work in Tennessee.

The video was launched simply days earlier than the Oct. 3 utility deadline for the cadet academy, which is slated to start out in February 2023.

Nonetheless, recruitment for regulation enforcement officers of every type is a battle throughout the nation as crime has skyrocketed.

Lee additionally budgeted $100 million in final yr’s funds for Tennessee cities to use for violence intervention grant {dollars}.

Memphis’ mayor says he desires these funds to concentrate on juvenile crime.

“I’ve talked to Juvenile Courtroom. I’ve spoken to Shelby County Colleges,” Strickland mentioned. “We’re all going to attempt to group collectively for extra intervention with these youthful youngsters who’re 11, 12,13,14 years outdated, and actually need high-volume interplay with them and their household to get them on the best path.”

Whereas it’s unclear how a lot of the $100 million will come to Shelby County, the governor says funds will likely be launched as early as March of subsequent yr.

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