In order to work for Shelby County, local police and fire officials must live within the county limits. A recent proposal to widen the residency requirement would allow police and fire officials to live within a two-hour drive from Memphis. The goal is to extend the search and increase the retention rate of officials.
Memphis City Councilman Martavius Jones says all major cities are struggling with recruitment and retention of police and fire officials. Jones does not support the new proposal and adds that many people want first responders to be in the neighborhood and readily accessible to the community if disaster strikes.
Jones joins Councilwoman Gerre Currie, the Daily Memphian’s Bill Dries and host Eric Barnes for this week’s WKNO-TV Behind the Headlines. Guests discuss the proposal and weigh the pros and cons of the residency expansion.
In addition, guests talk about the recently passed sales tax referendum. Currie says that she does not agree with the referendum's so-called purpose to restore police and fire officials' benefits and pension. Currie explains that other government and public service workers also were affected by the 2014 budget cuts. Currie says that there will not be enough revenue from the sales tax referendum to support the complete restoration of everyone's benefits.