U.S. Attorney General William Barr to visit Memphis on Wednesday

U.S. Attorney General William Barr, one of the top law enforcement officials in the nation, is scheduled to visit a Memphis police station on Wednesday to talk about Operation LeGend, an initiative that's brought additional federal personnel to Memphis.

Barr's visit was announced in a press release on Tuesday by the local U.S. Attorney's office. Barr is scheduled to give remarks at the Memphis Police Department's Ridgeway Station on Wednesday afternoon.

Some members of the Memphis City Council raised concern the initiative would lead to federal overreach, for instance actions against political protesters. The government describes Operation LeGend as an effort to bring additional federal officers to combat violent crime in Memphis. The council debated a resolution to criticize Operation LeGend, but it didn't pass.

Operation LeGend is named after a young boy who was killed in gun violence this year in Kansas City, Missouri. Memphis and several other cities are participating in the initiative. 

Memphis has already seen a record number of slayings this year, breaking the grim toll of 228 homicides set in 2016.

Barr has visited Memphis before.

Investigative reporter Daniel Connolly welcomes tips and comments from the public. Reach him at 529-5296, daniel.connolly@commercialappeal.com, or on Twitter at @danielconnolly.