The University’s South Campus was under siege Monday by members of the Memphis Police Department. For hours, officers scoured the grounds in search of a burglary and home invasion suspect as part of a training program for recruits.
Officers entered the old physical plant building and exited a few minutes later with the suspect in custody.
After an officer led the suspect out of the building, the two exchanged high-fives and a couple of laughs.
The MPD used the South Campus for a four-day training session for recruits who have passed the department’s 20-week classroom training program and are ready for more “real world” training.
“Theses recruits are about to graduate after a 20-week course, and all of the classroom instruction they’ve learned they put to use out here and show us what they’ve learned,” said MPD officer and recruiter Lance Leabres. “Our main concern is officer safety and survival.”
The 72 recruits were evaluated on everything from following correct procedure to the tone of their voices.
“It’s a culmination of all the training they have received and gives us an idea of where they are,” Leabres said.
