MEMPHIS, Tennessee – Memphis Police Department Deputy Chief Shawn Jones is being called a “part-time crime fighter” by some city council members.

Memphis Police confirmed Tuesday that Jones, an MPD employee since 2021, is indeed a resident of the state of Georgia.

Council President JB Smiley Jr. says his constituents are not happy.

“I find that a little bit concerning,” Smiley said. “I've had a lot of text messages from people from all different walks of life, industries and communities who are concerned about him working from home.”

WREG reached out to MPD and Mayor Paul Young about Jones' residency.

An email from the mayor's office states, “Shawn Jones' primary residence is still in the state of Georgia. Tennessee state law does not allow for residency restrictions for first responders.” It is literally the same response we received from MPD the day before.

City Councilwoman Jerri Green says she has a problem with him living in Georgia and working in Memphis, apparently part-time.

“I'm concerned that officer number two will not be available immediately, and I'm not sure if he'll be spending weekends in Atlanta or other times during the week,” she said.

Jones served under interim police chief CJ Davis in Atlanta and came to Memphis with her after she was appointed chief in 2021. He makes nearly $180,000 a year.

“We shouldn't be paying a part-time employee $180,000. He lives in Georgia and can't show up to work, and I think that's what's lost,” Green said.

In 2022, the Tennessee General Assembly passed a state law banning local residency requirements for first responders.

According to department policy, MPD employees can live within a two-hour radius of Shelby County, although it is unclear whether that includes Georgia, which is more than a six-hour drive away.

“I would like an answer as to whether they knew this was his residence when they hired him and whether there was an expectation that he would establish a full-time residence within the narrow confines of the policy,” Green said.

The incident involving a high-ranking officer raises questions about the MPD's residency requirements.

“No rank-and-file officer has violated it. No middle management has violated it. The second-strongest, the second-most powerful police officer we have has violated it. And I think they're going to have to make some tough decisions,” Smiley said.

In a crime-ridden city, some council members say Assistant Chief Jones should either live in Memphis permanently or consider leaving his post.

“We're leading the nation, especially in terms of murder and crime clearance rates, and I want to see those things improve. And I think we can do that by always having the best of the best around us,” Green said.