The Memphis Police Department made meaningful progress in 2025 toward building a Stronger, Safer Memphis through focused enforcement, strategic policing, and strong partnerships. While this work continues, year-end data reflects notable reductions in violent crime across the city.
In 2025, Memphis saw:
- A 27% decrease in overall Part I crimes
- A 26% decrease in murders
- A 22% decrease in aggravated assaults
- A 31% decrease in robberies
- A 48% decrease in carjackings
Memphis recorded a historic decline in homicides, with fewer than 200 murders—marking the first time the city has reached this milestone since 2019.
Nearly 500 fewer Memphians were injured in shootings in 2025. The city recorded 643 incidents—400 fewer than in 2024, a 38% decrease—reflecting a significant drop in the impact of gun violence across our neighborhoods.
Compared to 2023, Memphis has seen sustained improvements:
- Overall crime is down 41%
- Violent crime is down 30%
- Murders are down 47%
“These reductions did not happen by chance,” said Chief CJ Davis. “They are the result of strategic policing, strong partnerships, and holding violent offenders accountable while supporting victims and survivors. As we move into 2026, our focus remains clear—sustain the gain and keep building a Stronger, Safer Memphis.”
These reductions reflect the commitment of our officers and focused initiatives, as they work daily in neighborhoods to apprehend those driving crime.
Prolific Offender Initiatives
MPD created Prolific Offender Initiatives to focus on individuals identified as repeat drivers of violent crime. These initiatives are designed to reduce victimization, hold the most dangerous offenders accountable, and bring relief to impacted communities.
- The Aggravated Assault Prolific Offender Initiative identifies and focuses on individuals known to be trigger pullers.
- The Domestic Violence Prolific Offender Initiative focuses on the city’s most dangerous domestic violence offenders while prioritizing safety and support for survivors.
Coordinated partnerships with local, state, and federal partners support these efforts.
Operation Code Zero
MPD continued Operation Code Zero, a strategic enforcement effort focused on removing illegal guns and dangerous drugs from neighborhoods, recovering stolen vehicles, apprehending violent offenders, disrupting illegal gambling operations, and identifying and addressing blight. This initiative emphasized intelligence-driven policing aimed at preventing violence before it occurs.
Operation Rolling Thunder and Rolling Thunder: The Sequel
Through Operation Rolling Thunder and Rolling Thunder: The Sequel, conducted in spring 2025, MPD concentrated resources on violent offenders and organized criminal activity across Memphis neighborhoods. Together, the operations resulted in 370 arrests, including 92 gang members, the recovery of 59 firearms, including illegal switch devices, major drug seizures removing fentanyl and other dangerous narcotics from the streets, and more than $140,000 in cash seized from criminal activity, further disrupting criminal networks and reinforcing MPD’s commitment to keeping Memphis neighborhoods safe.
Interstate Enforcement Efforts
On Memphis interstates, enhanced enforcement by STEU Charlie, along with an expanded partnership with the Tennessee Highway Patrol, contributed to nearly a 50% reduction in interstate shootings.
Technology Supporting Crime Reduction
Technology continues to play a critical role in MPD’s efforts to prevent and solve crime across Memphis. In 2025, the department expanded the operational use of drones, giving officers real-time aerial intelligence that enhances situational awareness, improves officer safety, and supports faster, more effective responses in the field.
Through the continued partnership with the community-driven ConnectMemphis program, MPD also significantly expanded its citywide camera network. This collaboration provides investigators with additional tools to deter criminal activity and identify suspects more quickly. In April 2025, MPD further strengthened these efforts by opening the Downtown Command Center, increasing the camera footprint in the downtown area, and enhancing the department’s ability to monitor activity, investigate incidents, and solve crimes more efficiently.
While these results reflect important progress, MPD leadership emphasizes that the work continues. In 2026, the department’s focus will be to Sustain the Gain, maintaining momentum, strengthening partnerships, and continuing focused enforcement to keep Memphis moving forward.
