Tennessee lawmakers reject bill banning residency requirements for Memphis first responders – FOX13 News Memphis

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Tennessee senators have rejected a bill that would ban residency requirements for first responders in Memphis.

MORE: Bill banning residency requirements for Memphis first responders advances through Tennessee Legislature

The bill would have allowed Memphis police and fire department employees to live anywhere outside of Shelby County.

He will now return to the state House of Representatives for further discussion.

MPD Leader CJ Davis and Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland both support the bill, saying it would increase the pool of qualified candidates.

Last year, the House passed the bill for consideration, which would have enabled a statewide ban on residency requirements for first responders.

This year, the bill was amended to apply only to Memphis.

Information released in January by the Memphis Police Association showed city officers ranked bottom of the patrol list behind other Shelby County law enforcement agencies.

In an effort to recruit more officers, the department offers hefty signing bonuses and changes some requirements.

MORE: MPD modifies some requirements and offers signing bonuses to recruit new officers

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