Jackson Free Press

Echoing complaints of former Police Chief Robert Moore, Hinds County Sheriff and Jackson Police Chief Malcolm McMillin said Tuesday that he took personal offense to a Feb. 13 Clarion-Ledger story questioning his openness with city information.

"The story was 'McMillin open on public records—or is he?' I didn't mind the story, but I resented the hell out of that dang copy line," McMillin told reporters in a Tuesday morning meeting.

McMillin also demanded reporters tell him what information they needed:

"For the past 16 years that I've been in the sheriff's office, have you ever had a problem getting information from me? Is there anything that I have done or tried to keep from you, anything that I haven't been open about? Can anybody tell me about one incident?"

Reporters had criticized McMillin for not providing more information on officers who worked second jobs, including officers' names and badge numbers, and questioned his policy on not commenting on ongoing investigations.

McMillin acknowledged the two incidences, but added that the two cases did not amount to a secretive administration. McMillin also chided reporters for not showing up at the most recent COMSTAT meeting after months of screaming for the meetings to go public.

"We had a COMSTAT meeting, and I think one television station showed up. (Clarion-Ledger reporter) Kathleen (Baydala) showed up. … Where were you (people)?" McMillin asked. McMillin had been looking forward to pointing out in the COMSTAT meeting that numbers revealed a four-week drop in crime in Precinct 4.

"I'm not saying you need to be Dr. Feelgood. I'm saying when we do something right and the crime statistics are down … how about a little 'attaboy' every now and then? … You've whipped our ass for a number of years when things don't go right, so when it does, how about putting something positive in the paper?"

Previous Comments

ID

68261

Comment

“I’m not saying you need to be Dr. Feelgood. I’m saying when we do something right and the crime statistics are down … how about a little ‘attaboy’ every now and then? … You’ve whipped our a** for a number of years when things don’t go right, so when it does, how about putting something positive in the paper?” TELL IT LIKE IT IS!!!!!!

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2008-02-21T14:03:22-06:00