Pastors Rally for Memphis City Schools Peace Force

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Tuesday afternoon local pastors in favor of Memphis City Schools Superintendent Dr. Kriner Cash's plan for a city-wide MCS Peace Force gathered to open discussions with Memphis Mayor A C Wharton. Mayor Wharton said it's an idea whose time has not fully arrived.

Wharton said he needs more information on the issue, and the Memphis chapter of the SCLC and other organizations are urging the mayor to open communications.

Tuesday morning local pastors and organization leaders, including Reverend Dwight Montgomery with the Memphis chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, gathered to show their support to the idea of a Memphis City School Peace Force.

Memphis City Schools Superintendent Dr. Kriner Cash proposed a solution to what some say is an abuse of power by MPD officers against MCS students.

But Montgomery said it's more than confusing. He said just last week a student he mentors was arrested by Memphis Police Narcotics officers for trespassing on school property, charges he thought were without merit.

"I know of 15 or 20 of the top of my head where parents called SCLC where their children were mistreated by Memphis Police officers, so that's saying something different must be done."

Dr. Cash says the idea of a peace force to patrol all city schools is simple, and that the force's purpose would be proactive rather than reactive.

Dr. Cash says this is a priority for the board of commissioners, and they're looking for enabling legislation.

The gathering comes as a result of the idea that Memphis Mayor A C Wharton did not support the Peace Force plan, and to open discussions with Mayor Wharton in order to move the plan into reality.

Mayor Wharton said he's open to listening but needs more information to base his decision on.

We'd like to know what you think - should MCS have their own Peace Force? Join in the conversation by adding your comments below.