Keith Humphrey, Little Rock’s ex-police chief, has been chosen to head the University of Memphis Police Department, the school announced Monday.
Humphrey “retired” from the Little Rock Police Department in May 2022 after serving for three tumultuous years. His tenure was marked by the fallout from an LRPD officer’s fatal shooting of Bradley Blackshire in February 2019 and conflicts with the largest local police union, the Little Rock Fraternal Order of Police.
Humphrey was sued by senior officers over his handling of personnel matters, and in 2020 he filed a civil rights suit of his own against the police union, alleging an effort to stifle departmental reforms. Humphrey also shot at an active shooter on New Year’s Eve in 2021, though the local prosecutor later cleared his use of deadly force.
That history was not mentioned in the press release from the University of Memphis, which cast Humphrey’s 34 years in law enforcement in a flattering light.
“With a proven track record in law enforcement and community outreach, Humphrey brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the position,” the release read.
Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. was also quoted in the release. “I have always appreciated Chief Humphrey’s leadership, vision and commitment to public service,” Scott said. “His focus on best practices and 21st century policing made our police department better and stronger. I am confident he will serve the University of Memphis community well.”
As chief, Humphrey is expected to lead a team of about 70 employees to keep the University of Memphis safe.
“I am honored and humbled to have been selected to head the University of Memphis Police Department. My desire and passion for this position exists because I recognize a university as a unique 24/7/365 community,” Humphrey said in the release. “As chief, I will honorably utilize my 34 years of law enforcement experience to further strengthen our established and proactive public safety footprint required to keep students, faculty and staff safe.”
