MEMPHIS, Tenn. (localmemphis.com) – Mid-South law enforcement is on high alert after a credible threat in Mississippi, just days U.S. Marshals shot and killed a wanted suspect in Frayser.
The Mississippi Department of Public Safety confirmed the threat to Local 24 News, and they’ve urged Magnolia State law enforcement to use extra caution.
After 20-year-old Brandon Webber was shot and killed Wednesday night, chaos broke out and three dozen police and first responders were hurt.
Memphis Police aren’t taking any chances either. Director Mike Rallings ordered officers on a Level 3, meaning days off are canceled and two police officers are assigned to each squad car.
As MPD bulks up, other police leaders said Wednesday’s volatile and violent scene affected officers both physically and mentally.
“That’s not something that should be taken lightly, especially in light of what just happened,” Memphis Police Association President Mike Williams said.
MPD leaders are taking things seriously following Wednesday’s violence and vandalism on Overton Crossing. With lingering tension in Frayser, MPD is increasing its patrols and visibility.
“I would rather for us to overdo it and be safe as opposed to have an incident happen and we catch an officer that is all alone,” Williams.
Wednesday, anger boiled over in the streets. People threw rocks and concrete at law enforcement, damaging more than 20 cars and injuring three dozen police and first responders.
“We have officers who are still dealing with injuries that are possibly going to have to have surgery,” Williams said.
Williams said the chaos, and similar situations on patrol, take its toll over time.
“We have a lot of officers that are continually being put in psychological, stressful positions,” Williams said. “They need some relief. They need some downtime.”
But any rest and relaxation won’t happen in the near future for Memphis Police, until the Level 3 is lifted.
“For the protection of the public throughout the city and the protection of the officers themselves, this extra manpower is needed,” Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland said.
Mayor Strickland said the Memphis Police Department currently has around 2060 officers, with the goal of getting to 2300 officers by the end of 2020.
