Memphis Community Policing and Private Security Working Together

There is sometimes confusion about the relationship between private security officers and law enforcement. We are not competitors. We are not substitutes. We are complementary resources that, when coordinated effectively, make Memphis safer for everyone.

Understanding the Roles

Memphis Police Department officers have law enforcement authority: they can arrest, carry firearms on duty, and respond to emergency calls throughout the city. Private security officers have more limited authority. They can detain individuals under citizen arrest provisions in specific circumstances, but their primary role is deterrence, observation, and reporting.

This division makes sense. MPD cannot be everywhere at once. Private security provides consistent presence at specific properties, handling lower-level incidents and freeing police resources for serious crimes.

How Collaboration Works in Practice

Effective collaboration between private security and MPD looks like this:

• Information sharing: Security officers observing suspicious activity share that information with the relevant precinct. MPD shares crime pattern alerts with security providers in affected areas.
• Clear reporting channels: Security companies establish direct contacts with precinct commercial crimes liaisons, so incidents are reported efficiently and follow-up is streamlined.
• Coordinated response: When a serious incident occurs, security officers secure the scene, preserve evidence, and provide witnesses with a clear account of what they observed.
• Joint initiatives: Business improvement districts, neighborhood associations, and commercial corridors often organize meetings where MPD and private security coordinate on area-specific concerns.

Memphis Programs Facilitating Cooperation

Several MPD initiatives specifically encourage private security collaboration:

• Business Watch programs: Precinct-level initiatives bringing together commercial property managers, security providers, and police to address crime patterns affecting local businesses.
• Apartment liaison officers: MPD officers assigned to work specifically with multifamily properties, coordinating with on-site and contract security.
• Commercial crimes unit: A dedicated MPD unit investigating property crimes, including organized retail crime, working closely with loss prevention and security professionals.

What Property Managers Can Do

If you manage a commercial property in Memphis, you can facilitate better coordination:

• Make sure your security provider has established contact with your local precinct.
• Encourage your security officers to report incidents promptly and thoroughly.
• Participate in local Business Watch or neighborhood safety meetings.
• Share relevant security information with neighboring properties when appropriate.

The Bottom Line

Private security and MPD both serve the same ultimate goal: keeping Memphis residents, workers, and visitors safe. When we work together effectively, everyone benefits. Criminals face a more difficult environment. Properties are better protected. And police resources are available for the serious crimes requiring law enforcement response.

Shield of Steel maintains active relationships with MPD precincts across the Memphis area. Call (202) 222-2225 or contact us to discuss how we can support your property security needs.