Jackson Free Press

City Chief of Staff Marcus Ward is among 20 class members scheduled to graduate the 10th basic reserve law enforcement class on March 21.

Police Chief Shirlene Anderson said people graduating the class will have most of the training of regular police cadets.

"They get training in enforcing laws and ordinances in the city of Jackson. You get the weapons training. You get to wear a uniform. You get firearms qualification training, defensive driving training. You get the same training," Anderson said, adding that any police work reservists do is strictly voluntary.

Upon graduation, Ward will be eligible to carry a city-issued weapon, and as a law enforcement reservist, he will not be subject to weapons restrictions that apply to private citizens. Those restrictions landed Melton in hot water last November, when he pled guilty to carrying a gun in a church and a city park.

"The city will provide a weapon for you if you take a firearm course with the city in the class," Anderson confirmed.

Previous Comments

ID

67588

Comment

Speaking of the police, in the paper today, they have an article about Bracey Coleman coming back to Jackson. The two checks and suspect contract that will be forged between Bracey and the City is another blow to the sanity in the this City. I hope the Council can stand strong. However, I found the part where Melton complains that "da man" is keeping him down quite typical of Melton talking out both sides of his mouth. Pandering! Dealing with Jackson's crime woes will require extreme measures, Melton said. Coleman's hiring could be politically damaging, but Melton said he needs the results Coleman can help to achieve. "If the system would leave me alone and let me do my job, we can get a handle on this problem," Melton said. "Everybody has something in their closet. But I am finding more success with people who have a passion." Rally the peoples Melton! "Da man" is keeping you down. "His system" is why the crime problem is so bad, not your lack of sound leadership. No sir! Also, this theory that "everyone" has something in their closet doesn't excuse your transgressions or the past stupid decisions of the cronies he hires. Again, Melton ran a small NBC TV network affiliate empire during the time when NBC ruled the Nielson ratings. They had the top shows on 4 or 5 nights a week at one point in the late 80's, 90's and into 2000. NBC nightly news with Tom Brokaw was first or second to Peter Jennings on ABC in a daily ratings fight. It doesn't take skills to run a TV station that has a great parent network. NBC broadcast several Olympics, and still had NFL football during Melton's ownership period. Otherwise, even a person with no TV experience, like an ex-FBI investigator, could run a successful TV station with NBC as your parent network during the time Melton was owner. His CEO/Mayoral leadership skills are suspect at best!

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-03-22T09:14:59-06:00

ID

67589

Comment

I love how Anderson said she had no idea about it. Anderson, get some damn ballz and quit or start looking elsewhere like Ford did. No one respects you at all. Not your opponents. Not your so called friends. And damn sure not your boss or employees. The only thing for you to do here is to lay down an ultimatum to Frank that you do the hiring and firing in the JPD or else you quit. Not get fired. Quit. However, that would require leadership, something you haven't shown to this day in your job as police chief. Can you guys imagine Greenburg putting up with this foolishness?

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-03-22T09:37:15-06:00

ID

67590

Comment

The only kind of gun Marcus and any other person on staff with FM needs to carry is a water gun! They all are a bunch of loose canons waiting to go off. Did anyone see the news last night regarding the graduating class? FM had the nerve to joke about he was suppose to be in the class but because of a few incidents (hospitalization, jail etc.) he couldn't make it. What an idiot and a disgrace to this city. Folks this is serious business what's going on in this city and to make fun of it is sick!

Author

maad

Date

2007-03-22T10:26:47-06:00

ID

67591

Comment

Hey, he made fun of being in the helicopter with grenades in Council one day. His "humor" is questionable at best; right up there with his impulse control. I have visions of Marcus and Bracey holed up on the third floor of City Hall with weapons protecting their boss. And that my friends is the long and short of it.

Author

ChrisCavanaugh

Date

2007-03-22T13:20:37-06:00

ID

67592

Comment

Maybe everyone has something in their closet. Even if that's true, it doesn't make us all equivalent. Some people, for instance, over-eat late at night or have a "foot odor problem." Others have a history of sexual indiscretions, or are convicted felons, or have ties to crimes involving "the Wood Street players." I guess some folks have bigger closets than others.

Author

Brian C Johnson

Date

2007-03-22T15:19:12-06:00

ID

67593

Comment

Thought we should spot light those closest to the mayor who become a part of law enforcement family. Especially when his Chief of Staff may actually be his Chief Gun Holster now. It is a noble thing to do by serving your City in a reserve capacity. There are 20 people who were willing to help the police that we didn't have before. So, did anyone see the speech Melton gave to the graduating class on WAPT? They haven't posted the vidoe yet. Melton made some crass jokes about being incarcerated. Figures.

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-03-22T19:09:48-06:00

ID

67594

Comment

Can you guys imagine Greenburg putting up with this foolishness? Who's Greenburg?

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-03-22T20:36:25-06:00

ID

67595

Comment

the real deal. the real deal

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-03-22T21:09:20-06:00

ID

67596

Comment

what is the deal with Jackson's website? nothing comes up.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-03-22T21:27:46-06:00

ID

67597

Comment

Thanks for sharing that information, kingfish. That's good to know. I can tell that Greenberg was the type of person who thought through most of his decisions and had respect for the law. His personality flaws didn't have a major effect on his ability to lead.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-03-23T11:59:08-06:00

ID

67598

Comment

what is the deal with Jackson's website? nothing comes up. Which one? I went to http://city.jackson.ms.us/ and it comes up fine. Do you mean Jackpedia?

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-03-23T12:01:37-06:00

ID

67599

Comment

madd, I saw the news spot on 16 when melton joked about not being a part of the graduating class because he was dealing with "misdemeanors, felonies" and had spent time in jail. For him to SAY these is one issue; but, the fact that the graduating offices and others in attendance LAUGHING was the end of the line. I sat speachless listening to those fools laugh as he (melton) continues to destroy this City.

Author

justjess

Date

2007-03-26T09:52:52-06:00