Officer-Involved Shootings

The TBI has been requested to investigate 50 officer-involved shootings in 2023.

The TBI was requested to investigate 50 officer-involved shootings in 2022.

The TBI was requested to investigate 55 officer-involved shootings in 2021.

In 2020, the TBI was requested to investigate 46 officer-involved shootings.  

In 2019, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation was requested to investigate 47 officer-involved shootings.  

The TBI acts as an independent fact-finder in all of its investigations.

In officer-involved shootings, the agency works to thoroughly document the scene, collect evidence, and interview subjects and witnesses. In turn, the agency compiles as detailed a set of facts as possible and forwards that file to the District Attorney General for his or her further review and consideration.

The TBI makes no determination about whether an officer's actions were justified in these types of matters. Such a determination rests solely with the District Attorney General requesting TBI's involvement.

There is no state law requiring TBI to investigate use-of-force cases in Tennessee. In order to have the appropriate jurisdiction to do so, state law requires the request of the District Attorney General for the judicial district in which the incident occurs.

In this context, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is a signed agreement between TBI, local law enforcement agencies, and the local District Attorney General outlining the circumstances for TBI involvement in certain use-of-force cases. 

The TBI currently has two such agreements in place.

• In 2017, the TBI entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department and the Office of 20th District Attorney General Glenn Funk.
• In 2015, the TBI entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Memphis Police Department, the Shelby County Sheriff's office, and the Office of 30th District Attorney General Amy Weirich.

No. The TBI can investigate any use-of-force matter at the request of the appropriate local District Attorney General.

The TBI does not release evidence collected during the course of its investigations.

Under state law, the TBI investigative record of fatal officer-involved shootings that occurred on or after May 4, 2017 become public record at the conclusion of TBI's investigation and at the conclusion of the prosecutorial function, as determined by the District Attorney General requesting TBI's involvement.

No. The TBI has Agents who are assigned to one of four regions, and live in counties across the state.

No. There is no law requiring TBI involvement in use-of-force cases. Each case TBI becomes involved in originates with the formal request of the local District Attorney General for the judicial district in which the incident occurs.

No. Instead, our Public Information Office refers questions of that nature to each involved agency to answer as it sees fit.