Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Embeds Agents with Memphis Safe Task Force, Expands Authority
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is embedding agents with the Memphis Safe Task Force, a move supported by $9 million in state funding this year. This initiative grants the TBI task force broad authority across Tennessee, including the power to initiate investigations into major criminal offenses such as murder, gang activities, disorderly conduct, riots, and drug and weapons offenses. The task force operates under an eight-member board chaired by TBI Director David Rausch, which can decide when criminal activity in a jurisdiction warrants additional law enforcement operations. Fifteen TBI agents are already embedded in Memphis, with 17 more special agent criminal investigators currently being hired. The legislation allows the task force to conduct investigations in any judicial district where the Memphis Safe Task Force is active, without requiring a request from local law enforcement. It also permits agreements with other agencies at state or federal levels.
