Memphis City Schools to Vote on Own Security Force

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Memphis City Schools Board of Commissioners will vote on a measure which could give the superintendent the go ahead to create a security force in the schools that would replace Memphis Police officers.

Superintendent Kriner Cash has long been pushing for a district run police force, but needs state legislative approval. Critics of this new resolution say it's simply a way to go around that.

Memphis City Schools already spends $10 million dollars a year on school security. And now, a resolution is on the table to expand that.

"Further expand Memphis City Schools security force and eliminate Memphis Police from all campuses," says Kenneth Whalum, a MCS Board Commissioner.

The elimination of MPD officers from campuses is a controversial idea. Dr. Cash has been pushing to change state law in order to have his own "peace keeping force" since he took over as head of schools.

Whalum says the new resolution is the same idea with new wording.

"I would fully expect Chief Godwin and community leaders across the city to even file law suits about it," says Whalum.

Police Director Godwin has been steady in his opposition to a school run security force, and on this latest resolution tells FOX13, "I would certainly hope that this is carefully evaluated for the safety of the children and faculty within our Memphis City Schools."

School Board President Martavius Jones says it still isn't determined if police officers will be eliminated from schools.

"The request was made for the superintendent to provide a report to us, we have not seen the results of the report," says Jones.

Jones says this is not a way for the superintendent to get what he wants without changing state law.

"It's not going around it, we will abide by what state law says," says Jones. "It may be a situation because we already have people who are employees of MCS it might be means of expanding that."

Whalum says he will vote no on the resolution on Monday. He worries for the safety of the students and if crimes will be reporter to police and the public.

"Even as I say it sounds ludicrous," says Whalum. "If we say we're going to remove the Memphis Police Department officers from our campuses, then what it does is creates a police state without the police."

Memphis City Schools administration says Superintendent Cash is working on a security proposal to present to the board on Monday.

A sub committee of the house will discuss the security force next week.