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PDF versionMEMPHIS, TN – Increased test scores, higher graduation rates and better equipped students. Memphis City Schools says this will become a reality if the district has its own police force. But the push to move Memphis Police out of the schools may also push students out as well
For concerned parent Anita Woods, the thought of MCS having its own police force, or “peace force” is a bad idea. “I wouldn’t approve of that. We need our Memphis Police Department to do what they do well and that is police the citizens here and that includes the schools.”
A preliminary report has been given to Memphis Mayor AC Wharton. In it MCS Superintendent Kriner Cash states reasons the district should have its own force. He says current security measures are not tailored to school environments. Cash also states school police officers need and are given specialized training. That’s something he doesn’t see happening with the Memphis Police Department. “All the evidence points towards the fact we need to do something different for our young people so we can break the cycle from schoolhouse to jailhouse.”
MCS Parent Anita Woods, other parents, even Memphis Police Director Larry Godwin say it’s the cycle of not reporting crimes in schools that has them concerned. “I think that would be a strategic way of not getting the media in a lot of the conflict that happens in the school system,” says Woods. “It would be brushed under again, everything would be hidden again.”
Memphis Mayor AC Wharton is currently looking at Cash’s report. He’s also looking at information given to him from the Memphis Police Department. “An arrangement with MPD or a self contained unit within MCS, which is better equipped,” Wharton asks. “We’ll get back together within the end of the week and hopefully within ten days, we’ll have a statement on that.” If the MCS Peace Force becomes a reality, Anita Woods predicts there will be fewer students to protect. “I would have to start home schooling my child just like some of the other parents I know have done.”
Superintendent Cash tells myEyewitnessNews.com if reporting crimes is the problem, then there’s no need to worry. He says he is committed to reporting crimes to the Memphis Police Department and he will report crimes correctly should MCS have its own police force. Another concern for many is cost. Cash says a district run force won’t cost anything extra. Money that’s already allocated towards school security will go to the peace force.
Even in Memphis Mayor AC Wharton signs off, this is far from a done deal. The Tennessee Legislature would have to change state 
to allow it to happen.