MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - An Organized Crime Unit audit revealed the Memphis Police Department is missing hundreds of thousands of rounds of ammunition. Memphis Police Director, Toney Armstrong doesn't know the exact amount of ammo missing, but he says adjustments will be made.
When Armstrong was sworn in on April 15, 2011, he began an audit of the department.
"I requested an audit just because there was an administration change," Armstrong tells abc24. "Anytime you take over a department this size, we have over 2,400 officers and 3,000 employees total, and a a $226 million budget, you want to know where you stand, where you're at. It's a smart business decision to do that."
Armstrong says no major red flags had been discovered, until now.
"I'm waiting on the report itself," he says. "I had some preliminary meetings with auditors, but I have not been afforded that opportunity to look at the complete audit and say these are our findings."
Armstrong says he's anxious to get that report.
Larry Godwin was in charged of the MPD at the time the ammunition went missing. When he was director, the Organized Crime Unit reported directly to him and he would grant ammunition requests for training purposes.
Auditors are now trying to find the missing link. Director Armstrong's giving his officers the benefit of the doubt.
"I won't say I'm suspicious," he says. "I don't want to throw any accusations out there without knowing all the facts. At this point, I have not been afforded the opportunity to review all the facts."
Armstrong says he's heard a lot of rumors, but won't take action until he has facts.
"Whatever short comings they do find," he says, "I assure you, I expect us to make adjustments to do what we have to to get it right."
Since the audit is being handled by an outside agency, the police department isn't sure when the final report will be ready. Armstrong says he won't know how much money the ammunition was worth until that time.
City of Memphis leaders will not comment at this time because of the ongoing investigation.
