A retired Chicago Police Chief of Detectives has suggested that the city should consider deploying the National Guard to address its escalating crime rates, citing a significant drop in homicides in Memphis, Tennessee, as a successful model.

According to data from the Major Cities Chiefs Association, Memphis experienced a 43.7% decrease in homicides during the first half of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. This decline followed an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in September 2025, authorizing the deployment of National Guard troops who arrived in Memphis that fall.

Eugene Roy, the former chief of detectives, told Fox News Digital that Chicago is not adequately leveraging federal resources to combat its crime problem, particularly amid a shortage of police officers. "Chicago has just 2,500 fewer police officers than it did just two or three years ago. You can't keep doing more with less," Roy stated. He also noted a lack of cooperation between Chicago and federal authorities on preventative, street-level policing.

The Chicago Police Department faces a significant officer deficit, exacerbated by a decision in November 2025 to pause classes at its training academy and slow hiring to approximately 50 recruits per month. This reduction in training and hiring was a measure to address a $1.2 billion budget shortfall.

Roy highlighted Memphis as a "success story" demonstrating effective collaboration between local, state, and federal governments. He noted that while there may have been some initial reluctance at the city level in Memphis, the partnership ultimately yielded positive results. "The mere presence of police serves as a disincentive to commit crime," Roy explained, suggesting that increased visibility can deter criminal activity.

Memphis recorded 67 homicides in the first six months of 2026, a substantial decrease from the 119 homicides reported during the same period in 2025.

Roy believes that a similar cooperative effort in Chicago, involving the National Guard and federal law enforcement agencies, could replicate the success seen in Memphis and other locations. He pointed to New York Governor Kathy Hochul's deployment of at least 1,000 National Guard members to New York City's subway system in March 2024 as another instance where a Democratic governor utilized the National Guard to create a deterrent effect against crime.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Chicago Police Department and the Illinois governor's office for comment.