On April 27, several officers from the Jackson Police Department participated in an online "terrorism course." Presumably, the course taught officers how to prevent terrorism, but these days it's hard to tell. Or didn't we just have our own Abu Ghraib? On the same day?
I refer to video showing JPD officers striking 18-year-old Michael Black while his hands were cuffed behind his back, broadcast April 27 on WLBT. See http://www.jacksonfreepress.com for a discussion of this incident, complete with a member of City Council and a whole heck of a lot of talk about "thugs." (Hint: We're losing.)
WLBT squandered their journalistic good karma by broadcasting the name of a 16-year-old suspect involved in the case. This is a shameful breach of journalism ethics. Juveniles must always get the benefit of the doubt when it comes to their privacy, and this youngster has not even been convicted.
Otherwise, as we await more infor-mation from the city, I warn you that it might be a long wait. In fact, it's possible that we may never learn which JPD officer or officers struck Michael Black on April 27. Internal Affairs and the Melton administration regard disciplinary actions against police as "personnel" matters, beyond the public purview. Even if the officers are identified and punished, the Jackson Police Department and the Melton administration will keep that information to themselves.
By the way, just kidding about Abu Ghraib.
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