The city of Memphis eventually will have a new Memphis Police Department director, but, for now, current director Toney Armstrong will continue to hold the job.

Mayor-elect Jim Strickland announced Friday, Nov. 20, that Armstrong will remain in the job while he searches for a replacement.

STRICKLAND

“Director Armstrong has graciously agreed to continue to lead the department until a new director is hired,” Strickland said in a written statement. “He has also agreed to advise me in the search.”

Strickland, who takes office Jan. 1, also announced other changes in his administration’s line up.

Strickland is keeping six division and department directors from the administration of outgoing mayor A C Wharton.

They are: Finance director Brian Collins; Public Works director Robert Knecht, who has been serving as interim director of that division since the exit of Dwan Gilliom; General Services director Antonio Adams; Libraries Director Keenon McCloy; Information Services director Brent Nair; and Kevin Woods, the executive director of the Workforce Investment Network.

Leaving with the first of the year will be chief administrative officer Jack Sammons; former CAO and special assistant to the mayor George Little; Parks and Neighborhoods director Janet Hooks; Fire director Mike Putt; Human Resources director Quintin Robinson; City Attorney Herman Morris; and City Engineer John Cameron.

Cameron announced he would not seek reappointment to his position shortly after the Oct. 8 election.

Strickland said some of the other departures were retirements but didn’t elaborate on which were voluntary.