Shelby County District Attorney’s Office Appoints New Chief Data Officer to Strengthen Public Safety Through Smarter Data Use
Shelby County, TN — The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office has appointed Robert “Bobby” Zipp as its new Chief Data Officer (CDO), reinforcing District Attorney Steve Mulroy’s long-term plan to use data as a critical tool to improve public safety, modernize systems, and promote transparency in the justice process.
Since taking office, DA Mulroy has prioritized building a stronger, more data-informed justice system—one that tracks outcomes, identifies gaps, and allows the public to better understand how the system is working. The appointment of Zipp marks a major step in advancing that vision.
Zipp succeeds Vishant Shah, who helped lay the foundation for the office’s current data systems and has now moved on to other professional endeavors. The Office thanks Shah for his contributions during a time of growth and transition.
Zipp brings deep experience at the intersection of data, technology, and criminal justice. As a former Product Manager at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, he led projects that modernized operations and improved prosecutorial workflows—experience he says is key to supporting Shelby County’s public safety mission.
“My goal is to ensure our office has the tools it needs to respond effectively to public safety challenges,” Zipp said. “When data is accurate and accessible, we can pinpoint what’s working, identify trends early, and make quicker decisions to keep our communities safe—and ensure we’re doing so in a way that’s consistent and fair.”
With a background in data science and artificial intelligence from Northeastern University, Zipp is also an advocate for responsible innovation, drawing on his involvement with All Tech Is Human and other ethics-focused tech organizations.
As CDO, Zipp’s top priorities include:
Conducting a full assessment of the DA’s current data systems;
Identifying top areas for automation and efficiency improvements;
Strengthening data collaboration across law enforcement and court partners;
And building a culture where data is used proactively to drive safety-focused outcomes.
“I’m most excited to help simplify and streamline the day-to-day work of our public servants,” Zipp added. “The more efficiently we operate behind the scenes, the more focused we can be on justice and public safety.”
District Attorney Mulroy called the role of CDO a vital part of his broader effort to modernize the office and bring more transparency to how justice is carried out in Shelby County.
“The road to improved prosecution lies through data—if we want to improve something, we’ve gotta measure it,” said DA Mulroy. “Bobby has already been working on data in one of the largest and most influential DA offices in the country. He understands prosecution, reform, and how data can inform both. I’m glad he chose to come to Memphis.”
