Jackson Free Press

WAPT is about to report that Mayor Frank Melton today promoted Commander Lee Vance to the position of police chief, meaning that current Chief Shirlene Anderson is out.

Previous Commentsshow

I feel bad for Anderson... No wait... Vance... Too little too late... Now if we could take care of that pesky Melton problem.

pikersam

Nov 2 2007

It makes one wonder if Anderson will be a witness in an upcoming trial???

Cliff Cargill

Nov 2 2007

Also, The first question that should be asked of Vance is: Will you stand by with yur mouth shut as Melton breaks the law?

Cliff Cargill

Nov 2 2007

o

Cliff Cargill

Nov 2 2007

Odd, so what happens to Anderson in all this. Innocent bystander?

GLewis

Nov 2 2007

I don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing yet. Time will tell.

LatashaWillis

Nov 2 2007

Melton is denying.......

Cliff Cargill

Nov 2 2007

He had a news conference scheduled at 7:00pm, but canceled after WAPT broke the story...

Cliff Cargill

Nov 2 2007

WAPT just said Lewis was promoted to assistant chief. Also, they say Melton called and denied that Vance was promoted to chief and also cancelled a 7:00 press conference after WAPT broke the story. Maybe he's ticked because he didn't get to tell it first.

LatashaWillis

Nov 2 2007

DOUBLE POST! :-)

LatashaWillis

Nov 2 2007

Not so fast...WLBT just reported that Anderson is not resigning. Melton was supposed to hold a press conference regarding changes in the JPD this evening, the details of which were not disclosed, but now that has been cancelled for now. Marcus Ward is now head of the "Information Systems Dept"...geez.

Jeff Lucas

Nov 2 2007

WJTV is confirming...

Cliff Cargill

Nov 2 2007

Agreed, Cliff. However, somehow I think Vance will be straight up and independent (to the extent that's possible given the Melton's lunacy). I've known him for 15 years and have always seen him as one who does the right thing. I noted his public (but diplomatic) comments about his disappointment in Melton's 'promotion' of Recio to Deputy Chief, hop-scotching over other more experienced and credentialed officers, and how such a move could only add to the plummeting morale within JPD. I hope I'm right. Geez, after all this time, we NEED a break!

Kacy

Nov 2 2007

Yup LW... ;-)

Cliff Cargill

Nov 2 2007

Marcus Ward is now head of the "Information Systems Dept"...geez. Does he have IT/IS certification?

LatashaWillis

Nov 2 2007

I thought this kind of crap was SafeCity's job to help out on. I guess dumping all your money into a helicopter would cut back on fingerprint kits and bullet-proof vests! Some officers say they don't have protective bullet proof vests to wear when they hit the streets. They also say they don't have the proper equipment to run fingerprints on the automatic fingerprint identification system know as AFIS. The officers complain their communication radios are so old they are held together with duct tape. Speaking of radios... Where are our $8 million dollars worth of radios Larry Fisher? Are the officers lying? Why can't we get some of the 73+% of the 911 funds we give the County? Break off a little to fix these guys radios. What a rip off!

pikersam

Nov 2 2007

They say Ward is 'technically savvy' or something like that! 8-O He's a good swimmer too! Now why would Melton put Ward in charge of IT, an area where all employees emails, and back-ups are at the fingertips of his right hand man? Hmmm? FBI is not impresses....

pikersam

Nov 2 2007

Vance is 1000% times better! Not knocking that... It's just that Melton is involved... The force is strong with this one... Good luck.

pikersam

Nov 2 2007

So.... anything at 7pm??????

LawClerk

Nov 2 2007

From The Clarion Ledger: Despite reports swirling late this afternoon, Jackson Police Chief Shirlene Anderson has not been removed from her post, according to the mayor. Mayor Frank Melton said he had no plans to fire Anderson. He also said Anderson has not resigned. Melton, who canceled a news conference this evening, said he was going to announce he will continue to use Jackson police cars to transport youth and their parents to his home. “I’ve been having some conversations with people on a variety of issues. The information that is out there is just not true,” Melton said. Anderson could not be reached.

Cliff Cargill

Nov 2 2007

Well, when he says that the information out there isn't true, I believe that it is. When he says that he was going to announce that he will continue to use JPD cars, that means he is going to stop. When he says that Chief hasn't been removed, that means she has. He might not technically plan to fire Anderson, and she might have not resigned. But, let's take a more critical look at his use of semantics. He doesn't carry "one" gun on a plane, he carries two. He didn't "shred" the documents, he tore them up. Anderson "has not resigned" and he "had" no "plans" to fire her.... lc

LawClerk

Nov 2 2007

Had a power outage for a minute there - was hoping for more info. Something about this doesn't smell right. If the info wasn't true to begin with, who put it out there and why?

LatashaWillis

Nov 2 2007

I've been offline, and away from news, folks. Will see what I can rustle up on all this and post by tomorrow. I haven't talked to Adam again tonight to see what he may know. Remember, Melton has a long history of changing his story. Remember the budget he presented with a tax increase, then rescinded it. Remember him telling me (on tape) that he was going to shut down the gun shows in Jackson, and then saying that he never said it. And so on. Who knows? He did get a flurry of attention, though, from it all. I'll go add a question mark to the headine until it's all sorted out. ;-)

DonnaLadd

Nov 2 2007

I think this is his last stab for an illusion of control; simply another facade because the walls ARE coming down... Soon.

Cliff Cargill

Nov 2 2007

Yep, Humpty Dumpty is wobbling precariously. I wonder if he had even told Shirlene when this broke. I don't feel sorry for her, though; this is what she gets for being the Grand Enabler for so long. And I agree about the helicopter, Pike. What a waste. It's all about appearances.

DonnaLadd

Nov 2 2007

Based on what I saw on the news it sounds like Melton told Vance and Lewis, both city spokespersons, that they had been promoted. WJTV called Tyrone and confirmed the story. WJTV caught up wit Melton at some event(not sure what but he was wearing a tux and walking with Shirlene) and Melton said he didn't know why Tyrone had said that and it was not true. Off camera Shirlene said she was still the Chief "for now" Sooooo we are expected to believe that a man that has no history of lying just made up a second promotion during week when he already had one promotion. To what end? He's been a police officer for 20 years. Why would he wreck his career by making things up Melton is going to run the few good officers we have left off. I know a street officer up until about 8 he believed that Vance was the new chief based on what had trickled down. In fact he's probably on the street right now and still doesn't know.

msgrits

Nov 3 2007

"I thought this kind of crap was SafeCity's job to help out on. I guess dumping all your money into a helicopter would cut back on fingerprint kits and bullet-proof vests! " Yes, it is very sad that JPD officers are not equipped to do their job. However, SafeCity is not responsible for funding of the JPD. Their mission is to bring assitance and accountability in the criminal justice system - a big job indeed, especially in Metro Jackson. Now if Melton thinks that he can use seized funds to pay for promotions of his body guards, well, I think that money can be used elsewhere - fingerprint kits and bullet proof vests maybe? Can SafeCity hold the hands of the responsible officials and make them budget correctly and outfit the department so they can do their jobs? That task is a bit like herding cats. What they can do is ask the questions and demand answers. The article you posted doesn't even address the question if all officers are trained to even gather latent fingerprints.

Krystal

Nov 3 2007

Nobody said SafeCity's job is to FUND JPD... However, on their website, under 'Donations' it says: As a non-profit entity working for the benefit of all Mississippi residents, SafeCity depends on the public for funding. Donations help SafeCity develop programs to make the criminal justice system more effective, to pay for equipment and training benefiting law enforcement and other crime-fighting agencies, and to develop programs aimed at quality of life issues to create a better living and working environment for all citizens. "To pay for equipment and training..." Dare I say.... SafeCity is a place for certain types of Jacksonians to 'feel' like they are apart of the solution to our crime problem. However, contrary to their own Mission Statement, they decided to play politics and personalities: Principle Before Personality – Personal agendas can not, and will not be a part of SAFECITY. Our sole reason for being is to make our communities safer places to live with the quality of life that we deserve! Principles Before Politics – We do not care what political party a public official belongs to, or what their stance is on non-crime related issues. If a public official wishes to productively and honestly deal with the issue of crime, SAFECITY will be their best ally. Seriously, tell me who in SafeCity didn't play politics during the mayors race? If it wasn't McCreery on the radio spreading lies about Johnson and Moore, then it was Lange. If it wasn't Lange it was Melton (a former board member) doing the same. Talk about accountability! They are a joke outside of the one fundraiser they do! But, we HAD to have the helicopter didn't we? Well, I would rather have bulletproof vest and fingerprint kits over a helicopter we have to share with the rest of the area! This group, who the chief tried to dissolve illegally, actually does put it's money into helping the police.: “She doesn’t really understand the situation. She doesn’t know anything about the police foundation. This is an independent organization. People put money in it from as a far away as New Orleans, and I don’t know what she’s thinking,” Robinson said. The foundation supplies money to the police department, having helped fund officer training as well as purchases of equipment and supplies. The foundation also helped pay for the Mobile Command Unit that the mayor uses to go on police sweeps. Talk about playing politics. If I remember correctly, this group helped bury an anonymous baby who was killed a few years back? Any help, I'm just Googling this stuff? Call me when SafeCity ACTUALLY takes a bite out of crime! ;-p

pikersam

Nov 3 2007

you guys, obviously king frank's gonna have TWO police chiefs! duh! lmao

eyerah

Nov 4 2007

The mayor knows what he's doing. I support him 100 percent.

Ray Carter

Nov 5 2007

Ray, Could you PLEASE!!!!!! explain in detail what in the world leads you to believe lil melton guy knows what he is doing?

JMK

Nov 5 2007

Relax, JMK. You haven't been on the site long enough to know about Ray-the-satirist.

DonnaLadd

Nov 5 2007

JMK he got elected by a landslide - 95%of voters I think. Yeah I know some people dispute this, but these are my numbers. He then beat trumped up charged in Hinds and Lauderdale counties. Now he is about tho beat federal trumped-up charges. Combined this with running the number one televison station in Jackson for years and saving youths by the thousands then you have Superman. When was Superman ever wrong or misguided? Lee Vance is a well-respected and qualified talent like Lewis. The mayor is going into his second phase of operations with this. Shirlene and the "big white dude" did a good job for the period of time they were chief and asst. chief. Melton is now turning up the dial. The moment and time call for it. "When the going gets tough, the tough gets going."

Ray Carter

Nov 5 2007

WHEW!!!! Thought I was going to have to look Ray up and shake him by the shoulders.

JMK

Nov 5 2007

Donna, Have you or Adam heard anything knew or do we have to wait until Wednesday?:)

msgrits

Nov 5 2007

I have heard something, but it's not confirmed by a second source, yet, so I can't tell you. And my first one is confidential. Sorry. I will go out on a limb and *guess* though that Anderson won't be there by week's end. I just can't be more specific. And it's Melton world, and you know how unstable that is.

DonnaLadd

Nov 5 2007

My sources are telling me that Shirlene finally figured out Frank is using her as a shield to completely run the police department on a whim or impulse. She also now knows he has little or no respect for her or her ability as evidenced by making changes and not telling her about them. She had no idea he was this crazy. Yes she knew knew he was nuts but thought he was crazy like a fox, just as many others did. Now she knows for sure he's just crazy as hell like a clueless Fox.

Ray Carter

Nov 5 2007

By now I'm sure everyone knows that melton said that this was all a lie spreaded by the media. I saw the interview on 16. He was all dressed in tucks with bow-tie and with Sherline Anderson on his arm. He was escorting her to the UNCF Ball. He told the reporter that "Sherline is a good Chief and I have no plans of firing her." He went on to say that she has done more good things than anyone for the City of Jackson. I talked to an officer this am. He said that melton DID give the Chief's job to Lee Vance and that he made Tyrone Lewis his Assistant. According to the officer, Lee Vance asked frank to get rid of Recio and made that a condition of his accepting the position. frank, as always, got angry and rescinded the offer. frank is at odds with Anerson. I do think that she is basicall a good person who would not lie to save herself or frank when put into a position of testimony for the FBI. She may not be polished or have the expertise to run JPD; however, she is not stupid and is fully aware that she too can go to jail.

justjess

Nov 5 2007

Interesting, Justjess. It makes sense. Why is everybody hating on Maceo/Recio? He just plays the horn when asked like a backup is supposed to. Frank better be careful with Recio. He may just start playing that funky horm for someone else like the FBI. I guess Lee Vance and Tyrone Lewis, good and able gentlemen, just don't understand the dilemma the mayor is in.

Ray Carter

Nov 5 2007

People I should add that Recio has to have a high position in order to know what the FBI is asking for and receiving, and to tell Frank. Believe it or not, Frank is leery of trusting Lee Vance, Tyrone, Shirlene, Sarah and many more. They haven't been through the fire with Frank, and a whole lot of ______ is jumping ship.

Ray Carter

Nov 5 2007

I have a feeling Vance and Lewis don't have a clue as to what is coming down. Further more neither do Recio or Wright.

JMK

Nov 5 2007

Well let's hope that after today's elections, the caravan swoops in and grabs up Papa Smurf and his little helper Smurfs like Gargamell.

pressthefight

Nov 6 2007