[Jackson, TN] – The Jackson Police Department is currently investigating a citizen’s complaint regarding our response to an incident at the Empire Theater in Jackson, Tennessee. We want to acknowledge the concerns shared by members of our community, and we understand the sensitivity surrounding this situation.

At this time, we can share the following preliminary information:

On December 9, 2025, officers responded to the Empire Theater at 1511 Vann Drive after receiving a call requesting police assistance. The caller reported a large disturbance involving approximately 30 people, including the manager and teenage employees, and advised that multiple officers might be needed due to the size of the crowd.

When officers arrived and spoke with theater management, they were informed that a large group had been asked to leave and was refusing to do so. Management stated that while the group included many juveniles who were not causing problems, it was several adults who were being disruptive. Management requested that these individuals be trespassed from the property.

Regardless of the circumstances that led property owners to request removal of individuals, our officers are obligated to respond, assist, and maintain order. In this incident, officers acted in accordance with procedure and legal requirements. Officers entered the movie theater at the direction of management while the movie was still in progress. Because the theater was dark, officers used their flashlights to see, and instructed customers to exit the auditorium. They escorted the adults—identified as the individuals causing the disturbance—off the property. These adults also had young children with them.

“We acknowledge that this incident was unfortunate due to the presence of children. We want to remind the public that professionalism and serving with courtesy are core values of the Jackson Police Department. We hold ourselves to a high standard and expect accountability from all personnel,” said Chief Thom Corley. “If it is determined that any officer involved failed to meet the standards of our department, it will be addressed immediately. We will use this incident as a learning opportunity for our department as a whole.”

We are currently in the process of redacting the faces of the minors involved in our body-worn camera footage. This process is both technical and time-consuming, but once completed, we anticipate releasing the video at the completion of our internal process.

The Jackson Police Department remains committed to transparency, building public trust, and continually striving for improvement.

No further statements will be issued until the internal review process is complete.