Jackson Free Press

In an interview with Howard Ballou of WLBT, Mayor Frank Melton said he plans to fire Jackson police officer Mike Braxton, who made public a police report (PDF, 1013 KB) he filed after Melton allegedly verbally abused him with profanity last summer.

We were just trying to get some help, just to transport the kids, and that's when this officer drove up and rolled his eyes at me," he said. "And I am going to terminate him."

"If a police officer is going to roll his eyes at the mayor of this city, I wonder what he's doing to our everyday citizens," Melton said. "We did call his sergeant, and the sergeant said that was his normal behavior. Well, that behavior is very unacceptable to this administration, and he needs to go."

On October 20, Precinct-2 commander Lee Vance acknowledged a complaint had been filed by one of his officers against the mayor, but Vance said he could not give details and did not want to express a personal opinion on the matter.

"I would just say that I am very concerned about my officers," Vance said in the interview. "If something happens to them, it happens to me, and I want to make sure that they get treated fairly by the citizens and the administration."

"Obviously, it's inappropriate for any superior -- whether it's police chief or mayor or even a command officer -- to denigrate a patrol officer on what is perceived to be a slight," former Police Chief Robert Johnson said.

Melton also told Ballou that former Police Chief Robert Johnson, who was once Melton's campaign director before defecting from the campaign, should "just move on with his life."

"I think it's very inappropriate he would criticize me or the current police chief."

Previous Comments

ID

96523

Comment

Do what? Seriously? Is is April Fool's day or something?

Author

LawClerk

Date

2007-10-30T10:14:13-06:00

ID

96524

Comment

Also, I'm thinking that the attacks on Robert Johnson aren't going to play well in Jacktown.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-10-30T10:16:45-06:00

ID

96525

Comment

I have been hoping that I would get to comment on this one. First off the mayor states that he is going to terminate the officer for rolling his eyes at him. Well haven't we all been rolling are eyes at "FU** UP FRANK" for the past two years. I have to say that using a police officer and a city vehicle to transport young kids from Frankie's house back to their houses after a swimming party is not only a waste of time for a police officer but it is also a liability to the city. What if that police officer had a wreck with those kids in the car? I know what would have happened. Frank would have denied all knowledge of him setting up that means of transportation for the kids leaving that officer out to dry for law suits. There is no doubt that I believe one hundred and ten percent what that officer wrote in that report. That is exactly how Frank is. Don't you all remember Frank calling a city council person a GD Idiot. If he will call a council person that on tv then don't you think he would cuss out an officer. Why would an officer make that report up? That makes no sense Frankie.... Why would he do a report with a bunch of lies in it when he knows that he is writing that report about someone that could fire him. I also know that Frank was lying when he stated that he talked to the officer's sergeant and the sergeant told him that is just the way he is. Thats wrong Frank. You made that up. I know the sergeant didn't say that. You live in a la la land that you have got to get out of. Frank says that if an officer would roll his eyes at the mayor there is no telling what he would do to a normal citizen. Frank I am only going to tell you this once. You are not GOD!!! Officers roll there as at IDIOTS and that is just what that officer did on that day...... Recio stated on WLBT that he was there that day and the incident didn't happen like the officer stated in his report. DO YOU THINK I WOULD BELEIVE ANYTHING THAT RECIO WOULD SAY!!! Recio has lied for Frank since day one. He is Frank's little bit**. Of course he would say it didn't happen the way the officer said it did. Recio has lied for the mayor for years now. My favorite lie of them all is the one where Recio lied about the destruction of that house on Ridgeway. Something has got to happen so we can get this crazy dictator out of town. Maybe we can contact North Korea and see if they are in the market for another nut job!!!!

Author

The truth

Date

2007-10-30T10:34:52-06:00

ID

96526

Comment

It's also remarkable that Melton is going to investigate the leak of this police report. He and his folks are perfectly willing to leak something that helps them whenever they feel like it. It's going to be really disingenuous, and I know of what I speak, if they go after the cops for leaking this report.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-10-30T10:39:16-06:00

ID

96527

Comment

There is no way he will ever figure out who leaked that report..... I can promise you that!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Author

The truth

Date

2007-10-30T10:42:39-06:00

ID

96528

Comment

What about when Recio flipped off the cameras outside the court? Hmmmm? Does he do that to citizens too???

Author

LawClerk

Date

2007-10-30T11:01:06-06:00

ID

96529

Comment

Just to comment further... If Melton is upset that the officer filed a complaint about him, and then chooses to fire the officer over that complaint.... Hmm... sounds a little retaliatory to me. Didn't the JPS just settle with that guy that was fired for filing a complaint against a higher up???

Author

LawClerk

Date

2007-10-30T11:03:50-06:00

ID

96530

Comment

Sounds like a "personnel matter" to me. Frank should just let Shirlene handle it. ;)

Author

Lori G

Date

2007-10-30T11:34:41-06:00

ID

96531

Comment

Anyone ever notice that when someone other than FM or his cronies do something it's "inappropriate?" Somehow it only applies if he feels you are working against him. If I may use Frank's own word, Frank is inappropriate, his administration is inappropriate, his actions against the citizens of Jackson is inappropriate....ok, but you see where this is going?

Author

honey2me

Date

2007-10-30T11:43:06-06:00

ID

96532

Comment

Right. It's remarkable the example he sets of disrespecting people left and right, including the cops—then he expects to be treated with respect by others. Seems rather narcissistic at best.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-10-30T11:44:43-06:00

ID

96533

Comment

Not like some of us tried to tell'em how f'ed up the M-man was going to be. :-6

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-10-30T11:52:59-06:00

ID

96534

Comment

Ladd-I've been posting the diagnostic criteria for Narcissistic Personality Disorder on here for two years. :) If I had a nickle for every time I've rolled my eyes at something Frank Melton has said or done, I'd at least be able to balance the city budget. Frank can't fire people for having a natural facial response to idiocy. We'd all be out of work by the end of the week.

Author

Lori G

Date

2007-10-30T11:53:17-06:00

ID

96535

Comment

I know you have, Lori. Maybe you should again. ;-)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-10-30T11:55:44-06:00

ID

96536

Comment

Good point, Pike. A lot of the people who wouldn't listen are the victims now. Remember Brenda Scott and the unions getting behind a man with a history of union-bushing at WLBT!?! Sigh.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-10-30T11:57:20-06:00

ID

96537

Comment

And, back by popular demand....;) Narcissistic Personality Disorder is one of the Cluster B Personality Disorders. (Also including Borderline, Histrionic, etc. These disorders are considered by therapists as some of the hardest to treat. Mainly because one wants to KILL the client before one eventually helps them) Individuals with this Cluster B Personality Disorder have an excessive sense of how important they are. They demand and expect to be admired and praised by others and are limited in their capacity to appreciate others' perspectives. Diagnostic criteria for 301.81 Narcissistic Personality Disorder from the DSM IV-TR: A pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration, and lack of empathy, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following: (1) has a grandiose sense of self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements) (2) is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love (3) believes that he or she is "special" and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions) (4) requires excessive admiration (5) has a sense of entitlement, i.e., unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations (6) is interpersonally exploitative, i.e., takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends (7) lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others (8) is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her (9) shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes

Author

Lori G

Date

2007-10-30T12:12:53-06:00

ID

96538

Comment

Good timing, Lori. Reminds me of the time that Melton called me up angry that we had written a "Jacksonian" about Will Jemison, a young man working in the city's youth division at the time. Melton actually told me that he had sent more young men to college than Will Jemison—not that Will Jemison had claimed to send any young men to college, mind you. It was one of my odder conversations with the mayor, and that is saying something.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-10-30T12:17:39-06:00

ID

96539

Comment

Melton needs to stop worrying about "sending" young men ANYWHERE. This continous barrage of crap about "helping young men" and "drugs" and all this other shite that is coming out of his mouth really has nothing to do with his job. A job which he is woefully unqualified to have, obviously. The only thing Melton is extremely talented at, besides teaching young men to "swim", is kicking up enough dust around himself as to make it difficult to discern where the crazy begins and his true political ineptness ends.

Author

Lori G

Date

2007-10-30T12:29:48-06:00

ID

96540

Comment

This article makes me sick! Just as a good American must defend our soldiers, we Jacksonians MUST STAND UP FOR OUR POLICE! They are necessary to maintain civilization. Frank Melton is certainly not necessary and has become an anathema to good governance. He has got to be put in extended treatment or something. Just detoxing for a few days is not enough. Sounds like he is worse than ever and his family should step in. I am not posting this out of spite or wishing him gone (even though I do wish he were). I am posting this because he is out of control and incapable of functioning as an adult with rational thoughts.

Author

ChrisCavanaugh

Date

2007-10-30T12:36:45-06:00

ID

96541

Comment

Lori thanks for the post on Narcissistic Personality Disorder.

Author

Izzy

Date

2007-10-30T13:29:00-06:00

ID

96542

Comment

You do of course realize that the State Supreme Court has given our City Council the silver bullet needed to corral Master Melton. The ruling in the Hattiesburg Case, which was posted by the JFP last week (thanks again Donna), clearly gives the City Council the legal standing and rationale to sue the Mayor to make him follow the law (i.e. balance the budget, have his department heads approved by Council, stop interfering with the police department, stop interferring with police investigations, stop tampering with witnesses, stop harboring criminals.etc) Do we need a group formed to raise funds to pay for the Councils legal bills in asking for a Writ of Mandamus on Mr. Melton? Do our Councilmen (it only takes one), have the gumption, guile and backbone to follow through on this road map to freeeeeeddddoooooommmm!!!!??? Remember, it only would have taken one U.S. Senator to challenge the stolen election of George Bush based on the shennanigans the Republicans did in Florida. Many were called and NONE answered. And look what happened in that case! Any betting people out there?

Author

FrankMickens

Date

2007-10-30T14:10:20-06:00

ID

96543

Comment

lori G --Sounds like a "personnel matter" to me. Frank should just let Shirlene handle it. Well yeah ...except.... once again... Chief Shirlene Anderson was not available for comment. What did RobertJohnson say in the report? "There's a void of leadership and that the department is without a plan or committment or a direction and it's only going to get worse."

Author

Rex

Date

2007-10-30T14:53:13-06:00

ID

96544

Comment

"Narcissistic Personality Disorder" Do you mean like this?

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2007-10-30T15:03:17-06:00

ID

96545

Comment

Little frankie middleton needs to be rung in and rung in yesterday. Little frank..ie middleton is a festered boil on the butts of most Jacksonians. I am sick and tired of him, his lies, his drama, and tired of hearing about his fascination with sextoys..i.e. the reason we keeps raiding the adult stores. How can he fire anybody, period? And why isn't somebody speaking up about his fascination with all these little boys, and how he goes hunting for them on taxpayers dollars, and seducing them with police department toys. The middleton administration had casted dark clouds over our City. Help please, somebody, anybody.

Author

onetwog

Date

2007-10-30T18:13:26-06:00

ID

96546

Comment

Let's not forget that Det. Juan Cloy said that Frank has made the JPD a laughingstock by other police departments because of his interference. Also, I mentioned this before, but isn't this officer entitled to a civil service hearing before being fired? But Frank is above the law...I'm sure he'll get his way.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2007-10-30T18:25:47-06:00

ID

96547

Comment

I hope one day lil guy melton meets someone that will bring him down big time. Maybe Council members are getting their ducks in a row, who knows.

Author

JMK

Date

2007-10-30T19:38:33-06:00

ID

96548

Comment

Many many years ago in a State far far away there was law. Not just law for the common men and women but a law that ....... uh. So let's get this straight. The Mayor can use public funds (police officers time) for his hobbies (young boys) and the taxpayer has to foot the bill. The Russian Mafia thrives because the Russian people would rather ignore a bad law rather that get a new law that would rectify the problem. The Mafia makes most of their money in the area that the people choose to ignore. The more I learn about Mississippi the more I can see that the system is setup with so few true checks and balances that corruption is not only possible but rather expected. I don't see this city moving forward until some transparency and true accountability in city government is enacted by the people.

Author

Slider

Date

2007-10-30T23:28:46-06:00

ID

96549

Comment

Anyone remember this one of little frankie?

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2007-10-31T05:56:59-06:00

ID

96550

Comment

Ledger followed this up today. They said the police report was leaked to "the media" last week. If they were included, wonder why they are just reporting it today? They are days behind WLBT's story. (Sorry, just feeling catty.)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-10-31T09:14:54-06:00

ID

96551

Comment

I don't get at least three things about this story. 1. How can the city legally use police cars to transport private citizens to the mayor's home to go swimming? 2. How can the mayor maintain he's a crimefighter when he's using the police department as chauffeurs for kids swimming parties? 3. How can you a mayor legally fire a police officer for allegedly rolling his eyes?

Author

lucdix

Date

2007-10-31T11:20:35-06:00

ID

96552

Comment

I can answer all three of your questions.... Answers: 1. Because Frank says that it is legal. 2. Because Frank can say or do anything he wants. 3. Because this is Franks world and he thinks he is God and you can either kiss his butt or he will fire you! Of course none of this is true but in his world it is. Frank never wanted to be mayor. He just knew that he would never be police chief so he had to become mayor so he could play police chief. All he wants as police chief, I mean mayor, is to faze out all the dope boys so his dope boys can make the money. I know this because I have heard it come from his dope boys mouths.

Author

The truth

Date

2007-10-31T11:34:42-06:00

ID

96553

Comment

Training video for little frankie's few remaining followers. "Jackson about to be recycled..."

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2007-10-31T12:03:28-06:00

ID

96554

Comment

Thanks, truth, That explains everything. Guess I don't need to worry about a thing, including crime and liability for the city, right? What happens if a kid drowns in the mayor's private swimming pool after having been brought there by a police officer in a city vehicle?

Author

lucdix

Date

2007-10-31T12:08:42-06:00

ID

96555

Comment

To answer that question is easy. Frank said that he would be liable if anything happened and not the city. So don't worry about that. If Frank said it then it is law!!!! Thats Franks world. The truth is the city would be paying out big money to that kids family. Then it would be the police departments fault that the kid drowned because all Frank was trying to do was give a kid a place to go so he wouldn't get in trouble............

Author

The truth

Date

2007-10-31T13:11:03-06:00

ID

96556

Comment

WLBT's Howard Ballou just called to tell us that their Web version of the above story had an error in it. The following quote was by former Police Chief Robert Johnson, not Lee Vance, and the word "denigrate" was misspelled in their Web version. We're also correcting it in the above posting: "Obviously, it's inappropriate for any superior -- whether it's police chief or mayor or even a command officer -- to denigrate a patrol officer on what is perceived to be a slight," Vance continued.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-10-31T15:37:13-06:00

ID

96557

Comment

Donna, Didn't a teenager blow his brains out at Melton's house in the early 1990's after smoking dope?

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2007-10-31T16:11:44-06:00

ID

96558

Comment

Can we please initiate an official JFP or Blog countdown to Frank's last day in office. How much longer is our sentence?

Author

stern

Date

2007-10-31T20:00:33-06:00

ID

96559

Comment

Wonder what lil guy melton would have done if the officer accidently flung some ear wax on him? lil guy melton needs to get a life. Firing someone over eyes being rolled JEEZ

Author

JMK

Date

2007-11-01T11:15:26-06:00

ID

96560

Comment

Cliff Cargill, the story is a true one about the young White male who died in melton's home. According to his version of the story, the kid committed suicide by shooting himself in the head. Who knows the real story since his boy's boarding house is not governed, licensed or regulated by the usual and customary. It is also true that two young Balck boys accused melton with sexually abusing them. Both of them ended up KILLED and acoording to melton, "It was related to drugs." People know these stories and yet they were willing to elect this (PPPPP) Poorly Put together Piece of Pooped Protoplasm.

Author

justjess

Date

2007-11-01T13:13:10-06:00

ID

96561

Comment

Does anyone remember the case with the guy who killed and injured many on a train in New York? This guy represented himself. During the trial, he looked over at one of his victims and said, "Judge, Your Honor, just look at how she is rolling her eyes at me? This guy was a paranoid schizophrenic. This should tell us something about "EYE ROLLING."

Author

justjess

Date

2007-11-01T13:16:17-06:00

ID

96562

Comment

If this is not off topic, is there any chance former Chief Robert Johnson would run for Mayor?

Author

GenShermansGhost

Date

2007-11-01T15:55:37-06:00

ID

96563

Comment

Intriguing idea. He would likely get a lot of support, eh?

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-11-01T15:58:00-06:00

ID

96564

Comment

Chief Johnson has the credentials to protect the public safety, which I personally still think is one of the most important issues in our city, and he's managed the MDOC, so he must know how to delegate, which is a skill solely lacking in the incumbent. Plus he probably will hardly ever commit crimes himself. And in all seriousness, I think a challenger who has not been involved in the battles of the last eight years might be able to pull people together.

Author

GenShermansGhost

Date

2007-11-01T16:58:10-06:00

ID

96565

Comment

FLASH! Remember Marcus Ward, Melton's original appointmet to serve as the city legislative lobbyist. He didn't last too long in that job. Now he has been appointed head of the city Information Technology department (IT). He has replaced a man with 25-30 years experience. This appointment did not follow the city's Civil Service regulations (hmmmm..where have I heard this before?

Author

FrankMickens

Date

2007-11-01T18:15:45-06:00

ID

96566

Comment

Thanks justjess. You know, if it was me, or anyone else I know that had a kid shot it our homes, we wouldn't be allowed to have kids around. Damn, I bet there's plenty of laws to cover that, but here...zip. Oh, and the murderer you're referring to is Colin Ferguson.

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2007-11-01T19:00:39-06:00

ID

96567

Comment

This the poll question over at The Clarion Ledger: If Mayor Melton could be recalled, would you vote to do so? Yes No Click here to get there.

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2007-11-02T06:15:08-06:00

ID

96568

Comment

Thanks, Cliff. It was just below 80% for recall when I was there just now.

Author

lucdix

Date

2007-11-02T07:26:57-06:00

ID

96569

Comment

Just hit the poll ... 78.2 for a recall... the other 22% are either sleeping or using Frank's computers to keep clicking "no."

Author

LawClerk

Date

2007-11-02T07:40:34-06:00

ID

96570

Comment

Thanks Cliff Cargill for the Colin Ferguson reference. I rembered the case but not the name of the character. His big deal was the same as melton's. i.e., someone ROLLING EYES. This is so SICK. The CL Poll is probably a good indicator on how the majority of people are NOW feeling about melton. Too bad that the CL was so accomodating to him during the election. They had enough information to stop frank dead in his tracks: Now, 2 1/2 years later, they are willing to spill their guts. What a group!

Author

justjess

Date

2007-11-02T09:07:48-06:00

ID

96571

Comment

Can we please initiate an official JFP or Blog countdown to Frank's last day in office. How much longer is our sentence? Interesting concept. Have you see the Bush countdown keychain? About the poll, it currently stands at 75.8 yes, 24.2 no with 462 votes cast so far.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-11-02T09:33:09-06:00

ID

96572

Comment

No, I'm not going to do that. Too busy focused on the bigger picture of getting people information they need. Y'all do what you want in the forums, within the rules of the User Agreement, of course.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-11-02T09:36:34-06:00

ID

96573

Comment

L.W., this sounds like a Carl Rove initiated deal. I will be willing to bet that for every Bush Countdown Key Chain sold, 90% of the money goes into the Bush coffer.

Author

justjess

Date

2007-11-02T10:23:06-06:00

ID

96574

Comment

L.W., this sounds like a Carl Rove initiated deal. I will be willing to bet that for every Bush Countdown Key Chain sold, 90% of the money goes into the Bush coffer. Wouldn't that be a mess if that were true? However, I think that the keychains would be small potatoes to those guys. I think oil and world domination is a lot more appealing to them.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-11-02T10:28:43-06:00