Joe E. Gurley, II, CPD, Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputy, Retired

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Memphis native Joe Gurley, II is a Bartlett High School graduate. After serving in the United States Air Force as a security police officer, in 1988, Joe returned to Memphis and joined the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office as one of the first 9-1-1 operators in Shelby County. The following year, Joe joined the University of Tennessee Campus Police and received his POST certification. In 1990, Joe rejoined the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and was instrumental in implementation of a program targeting youth alcohol and drug abuse. Joe was awarded the Lifesaving Medal by the Sheriff’s Department in 2004, and retired in 2015. Joe has also served as a chief executive in two private security companies which did extensive work in high-crime apartment communities.

Additionally, Joe has earned the Crime Prevention through Environmental Design Professional Designation (CPD) from the National Institute of Crime Prevention.

Joe and his wife live in the Greater Memphis Area, where they have raised two wonderful children.

Janine F. Heiner, JD, CPD

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Janine Heiner is the architect of the SafeWays Certification Program and has been involved in blight reduction and community safety in Memphis since 2000. Janine served as SafeWays’ Senior Analyst and Director of Property Research during the organization’s formation in 2012 and 2013. After a time spent as Director of Family Services at Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis, Janine returned to SafeWays as Managing Director in July of 2015. Her professional experience includes criminal defense and tenant advocacy work. She also has a decade in the commercial real estate industry, having served as a national commercial underwriter for First American Title Insurance Company, and as CEO of Service First Title & Escrow, LLC. Janine also served as a research associate at the University of Memphis’ Center for Community Building and Neighborhood Action. In addition to maintaining a license to practice law in the State of California, Janine has earned the CPTED Professional Designation (CPD) from the National Institute of Crime Prevention. She is a member of ASIS International and is also certified as a Master Home Environmentalist by the American Lung Association. Janine is passionate about sharing CPTED philosophies and strategies with others to reduce blight and crime and improve community safety throughout Shelby County.

Robert Skelton, Memphis Police Department Lt., Retired

COMPLIANCE TECHNICIAN

Lieutenant Bobby Skelton has more than 30 years’ law enforcement experience, having retired from the Memphis Police Department in 2014. During his tenure with the Department, Bobby served as a supervisor in the Entertainment District Unit and also with the Organized Crime Unit Vice Team. Skelton is an expert in Gang Awareness and has extensive training in street gangs.  He was assigned to the Memphis/Shelby County Metro Gang Squad for 3 years.  While with the Memphis Police Department, Bobby also served as Administrative Sergeant for Undercover Operation Unit and led the Organized Crime Unit’s Criminal Intelligence Section. He also served as Meth Team Coordinator. Bobby also has substantial investigative experience, gained in MPD’s Robbery, Domestic Violence, and Sex Crimes Divisions. He also served as day shift commanding officer of the Memphis Police K9 Squad and as a staff instructor at the Memphis Police Training Academy. He is passionate about teaching others how to prevent crime and avoid victimization.

Bobby is a Holder of the Memphis Police Department Medal of Honor. Since his retirement from the Department, has worked in private and corporate security, in addition to serving on the FEMA Hurricane Task Force. He also has worked for the Tennessee Department of Corrections Probation and Parole Division as a Manager over the Sex Offender Unit. Skelton attended Memphis State University from 1984 to 1988 and is currently working toward a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration at the University of Phoenix.

Michael Anderson

COMPLIANCE TECHNICIAN

Mike joined the SafeWays team in 2021, having been handpicked and recruited out of the private security industry by SafeWays leadership. Mike has extensive experience in private security, including at some of the toughest apartment communities in Memphis. Mike’s effusive personality, combined with his keen powers of observation and attention to detail, strong work ethic, and his commitment to safe living conditions for the community make him a perfect compliment to our growing team of crime prevention professionals.